The Hedgehog by Saki (1924)
A garden party at the Rectory serves as the backdrop for a traditional mixed doubles tennis match, where the social dynamics among the attendees unfold. The event is characterized by the presence of four women who critique the players, revealing their personal biases and rivalries. Mrs. Dole and Mrs. Hatch-Mallard, two of the spectators, engage in a series of snide remarks about the players and each other, showcasing their longstanding animosity. As the conversation shifts, Mrs. Norbury introduces her guest, Ada Bleek, a clairvoyant with a penchant for the supernatural. The ladies discuss local ghost stories, particularly the infamous Lady Cullumpton, whose tragic history is recounted with a mix of skepticism and intrigue. The tension between Mrs. Dole and Mrs. Hatch-Mallard escalates as they argue over the credibility of their respective ghost stories, each trying to assert the superiority of their family’s haunted legacy. Ada arrives at the Norbury household, where the couple hopes to prevent any ghostly encounters that might upset their social standing with Mrs. Hatch-Mallard, who owns the estate they are renting. Despite their efforts to distract Ada with bridge games, she remains fixated on the idea of seeing a ghost. On the third morning of her stay, Ada claims to have witnessed something supernatural: a white hedgehog with sinister features. Her description, filled with excitement, contrasts sharply with the Norburys' disbelief. They attempt to rationalize her experience, suggesting it was a figment of her imagination influenced by local lore. Ada insists on documenting her encounter for the Research Society, prompting Hugo Norbury to concoct a story about a prank involving a stuffed hedgehog that they had used to scare guests in the past. He explains that they would pull the hedgehog along the floor with a string, creating the illusion of a ghostly apparition. Despite the Norburys' attempt to downplay the incident, Ada is determined to share her experience, leading to a rift between her and the Norburys. Ultimately, while the Norburys manage to maintain their social standing, Ada's belief in the supernatural and her desire to report her experience result in a permanent estrangement from them. The story concludes with a reflection on the nature of belief, social rivalry, and the consequences of one's actions in the context of societal expectations.
By Saki · First published 1924 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Fantasy · 2,278 words
First lines
A "mixed double" of young people were contesting a game of lawn tennis at the Rectory garden party; for the past five-and-twenty years at least mixed doubles of young people had done exactly the same thing on exactly the same spot at about the same time of year. The young people changed and made way for others in the course of time, but very little else seemed to alter.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hedgehog is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1924 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: 1924 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Fantasy, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 2,278 words
- Structure: 1 section, 47 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hedgehog 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 Hedgehog?
- How does this short story by Saki fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The story employs humor through witty dialogue and social satire, highlighting the absurdities of social interactions.
- Satire — It critiques social norms and the pretentiousness of the upper class, particularly through the characters' interactions and conversations.
- Fantasy — The appearance of the supernatural element, the white hedgehog, introduces a fantastical aspect to the otherwise realistic setting.
- Social Commentary — The narrative reflects on societal expectations and the trivial concerns of the characters, providing insight into their lives.
Tags
satire · humor · short story · British literature · social commentary · irony · character study · class distinction · nature · wit · absurdity · dialogue