The Lull by Saki (1910)
Mrs. Durmot invites Latimer Springfield to spend a Sunday at her home, hoping to provide him a respite from his intense election campaign. Despite her efforts to keep politics at bay, Latimer's anxiety about the election lingers. Upon arriving, he is quickly drawn into a chaotic situation when Vera, Mrs. Durmot's niece, informs him that a reservoir has burst, flooding the area and leaving them isolated. Vera insists that Latimer take in a pig and a gamecock for the night, as their usual accommodations are flooded. Reluctantly, he agrees, hoping to avoid further complications. The pig, however, proves to be a troublesome housemate, causing unrest throughout the night. Latimer struggles to manage the pig's antics while also dealing with the gamecock, which becomes increasingly agitated. As the night progresses, the animals engage in a chaotic battle, disrupting Latimer's attempts to find peace. He reflects on the absurdity of his situation, feeling trapped between the demands of his political ambitions and the unexpected turmoil of his current environment. The morning brings a revelation: the flooding was exaggerated, and the chaos was largely a product of Vera's imagination. In the end, Latimer confronts Vera about the deception, but she deflects with a comment about how she successfully distracted him from his political worries. The experience leaves him questioning the nature of truth and the absurdity of his circumstances, ultimately highlighting the interplay between personal and political chaos.
By Saki · First published 1910 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Fiction · 2,145 words
First lines
"I've asked Latimer Springfield to spend Sunday with us and stop the night," announced Mrs. Durmot at the breakfast-table.
"I thought he was in the throes of an election," remarked her husband.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lull is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Fiction, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 2,145 words
- Structure: 1 section, 36 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lull by Saki
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- Dusk by Saki
- The Guests by Saki
- The Mouse by Saki
- The Oversight by Saki
- The Threat by Saki
- A Shot In The Dark by Saki
Genres
- Comedy — The humorous interactions and absurd situations involving Latimer, Vera, and the animals create a comedic atmosphere.
- Satire — The story critiques political life and the absurdities of electioneering through the character of Latimer and his experiences.
- Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction, exploring character dynamics and fictional events.
- Social Commentary — The story reflects on social norms and behaviors, particularly in the context of politics and rural life.
Tags
dark humor · satire · irony · social commentary · Victorian society · family dynamics · childhood · innocence · deception · moral ambiguity · suspense · psychological tension