The Cobweb by Saki (1911)
The narrative unfolds in a farmhouse kitchen, a space that embodies both the vibrancy of farm life and the weight of tradition. Young Mrs. Ladbruk, recently inheriting the farm, envisions transforming the kitchen into a cozy haven, contrasting sharply with the musty, unwelcoming parlour. However, she faces the formidable presence of Martha Crale, an elderly servant who has been a fixture of the farm for decades. Martha's age and steadfastness render her both a relic of the past and an obstacle to Emma's modernizing ambitions. Martha, who has spent her life in service to the farm, is depicted as frail yet tenacious, embodying the history and routine of the household. Emma's initial curiosity about Martha's life gives way to frustration as she realizes that Martha's traditional methods clash with her own progressive ideas. The kitchen, a space ripe for reform, remains under Martha's control, and Emma feels increasingly stifled by the old woman's presence. As the story progresses, Martha begins to sense her mortality, claiming that death is imminent. Emma, torn between pity and a desire for change, seeks help for Martha but finds herself alone in her concerns. The narrative highlights the generational divide between Emma's aspirations and Martha's adherence to the past. When Emma encounters her cousin Jim, he dismisses her fears about Martha's health, illustrating a lack of understanding of the old woman's significance. The turning point occurs when Martha, despite her frailty, is seen feeding the poultry, seemingly defying the notion of her impending death. However, the irony unfolds as Martha announces the death of young Mr. Ladbruk, Emma's husband, who has died in a tragic accident. This event shifts the power dynamics of the farm, as it now passes to Jim, leaving Emma to drift away from the life she envisioned. In the end, the kitchen remains unchanged, with Martha continuing her routine, embodying the enduring nature of tradition amidst the inevitable passage of time. Emma's dreams of a vibrant kitchen filled with life and color are overshadowed by the reality of loss and the persistence of the past, encapsulated in Martha's unwavering presence. The story concludes with a poignant reflection on the cycles of life, death, and the inescapable grip of history on the present.
By Saki · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary · 2,415 words
First lines
The farmhouse kitchen probably stood where it did as a matter of accident or haphazard choice; yet its situation might have been planned by a master-strategist in farmhouse architecture. Dairy and poultry-yard, and herb garden, and all the busy places of the farm seemed to lead by easy access into its wide flagged haven, where there was room for everything and where muddy boots left traces that were easily swept away. And yet, for all that it stood so well in the centre of human bustle, its long, latticed window, with the wide window-seat, built into an embrasure beyond the huge fireplace, looked out on a wild spreading view of hill and heather and wooded combe. The window nook made almost a little room in itself, quite the pleasantest room in the farm as far as situation and capabilities went. Young Mrs. Ladbruk, whose husband had just come into the farm by way of inheritance, cast covetous eyes on this snug corner, and her fingers itched to make it bright and cosy with chintz curtains and bowls of flowers, and a shelf or two of old china. The musty farm parlour, looking out on to a prim, cheerless garden imprisoned within high, blank walls, was not a room that lent itself readily either to comfort or decoration.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cobweb is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Saki
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Length: 2,415 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cobweb by Saki
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Cobweb?
- How does this short story by Saki fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development, themes of mortality, and the passage of time, typical of literary fiction.
- Drama — The story explores interpersonal relationships and emotional conflicts, particularly between Emma and Martha.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social roles and the generational divide, particularly in the context of rural life.
- Gothic Fiction — Elements of decay, death, and the eerie atmosphere surrounding Martha's character lend a gothic quality.
Tags
satire · humor · society · class · irony · relationships · deception · dinner party · social commentary · character study · dialogue · conflict