Playing with Fire

Name: Playing with Fire
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A group of friends, intrigued by the occult, regularly meets for séances at the studio of an artist. The group includes John Moir, a firm believer in spiritualism; his sister, Mrs. Delamere, who serves as the medium; Harvey Deacon, a skeptical artist; and the narrator, who is more of a casual participant. Their gatherings are typically light-hearted, but they take a serious turn when they invite a French mystic, Paul Le Duc, to join them. On a fateful evening, the group conducts a séance with Le Duc, who claims to have the ability to connect with spirits. As they sit in darkness, the atmosphere becomes charged with energy, and strange phenomena begin to occur. A luminous vapor appears above the table, and a voice emerges, claiming to be a spirit that has lived and died. The spirit answers questions about the afterlife, emphasizing the importance of intention and the dangers of summoning forces without respect. Le Duc, eager to demonstrate his powers, attempts to materialize a thought into reality. However, his experiment goes awry, and a chaotic entity, described as a large animal, is unleashed in the studio. Panic ensues as the group is thrown into disarray, desperately trying to escape the unseen terror. The medium, Mrs. Delamere, is rendered unconscious during the chaos. In the aftermath, the group regroups in a separate room, shaken but unharmed. They reflect on the events, with Le Duc expressing a mix of excitement and regret over the incident. The narrator concludes that the experience was either a bizarre hoax or a genuine encounter with the supernatural, leaving the nature of their experience open to interpretation. The story ends with a call for others to share similar experiences, highlighting the mystery surrounding the occult and the unknown.

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle · First published 1917 · Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Mystery, Horror · 6,832 words

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Playing with Fire is listed on Textopian as a novella by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dated 1917 CE.

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Work type: Novella
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Date: 1917 CE
Language: English
Genres: Supernatural Fiction, Mystery, Horror, Occult, Literary Fiction
Length: 6,832 words
Structure: 1 section, 179 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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How does this novella by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Supernatural Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Supernatural Fiction — The plot revolves around a séance and the exploration of spiritualism, making it central to the narrative.
Mystery — The story involves an unexplained event that leaves characters and readers questioning the nature of reality and the supernatural.
Horror — The climax features a terrifying encounter with an unknown entity, creating a sense of fear and dread.
Occult — The themes of spiritualism and the occult are prevalent, focusing on communication with spirits and the unknown.