The Peace Offering by Saki (1910)
A baroness seeks to unite a socially divided county through a dramatic entertainment, proposing a play to distract from recent political tensions. She enlists Clovis, who suggests a Greek tragedy, but they quickly diverge on the details. Clovis aims for a grand, exotic production, while the baroness insists on practicality, fearing the reactions of their audience. As they cast the play, tensions arise between Clovis and the baroness, each vying for the spotlight. Clovis wants to highlight his character, the charioteer, while the baroness, playing Clytemnestra, attempts to overshadow him. The rehearsal process is fraught with conflict, particularly with Cassandra, who struggles to deliver her prophecies effectively. Despite their disagreements, the night of the performance arrives, and the county gathers, momentarily setting aside their political disputes. The baroness and Clovis manage to put on a show, but when Cassandra steps forward to deliver her lines, she veers off-script, launching into a political critique that alienates the audience. The performance ends in chaos, with the audience united in their disapproval of the baroness's lack of taste. The intended healing effect of the play backfires, reinforcing the social divisions it aimed to mend. The baroness ultimately finds herself in a precarious position, having failed to achieve her goal of reconciliation.
By Saki · First published 1910 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Drama · 2,004 words
First lines
"I want you to help me in getting up a dramatic entertainment of some sort," said the baroness to Clovis. "You see, there's been an election petition down here, and a member unseated and no end of bitterness and ill-feeling, and the County is socially divided against itself. I thought a play of some kind would be an excellent opportunity for bringing people together again, and giving them something to think of besides tiresome political squabbles."
The baroness was evidently ambitious of reproducing beneath her own roof the pacifying effects traditionally ascribed to the celebrated Reel of Tullochgorum.
What this Textopian page supports
The Peace Offering 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, Drama, Social Commentary, Tragedy
- Length: 2,004 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Peace Offering by Saki
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Discussion starters
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- How does this short story by Saki fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Comedy — The work employs humor and satire to explore social dynamics and political themes, characteristic of comedic literature.
- Satire — It critiques social and political issues through exaggerated characters and situations, highlighting the absurdity of human behavior.
- Drama — The central plot revolves around the preparation for a play, incorporating dramatic elements and character conflicts.
- Social Commentary — The narrative reflects on societal divisions and the impact of politics on community relationships.
Tags
satire · humor · short story · irony · social commentary · British literature · character study · class differences · nature · conflict · human behavior · dialogue