At the Military Exhibition
The story revolves around a military exhibition where soldiers showcase their skills and equipment to the public. The protagonist, a young officer, is tasked with organizing the event but faces challenges from his superiors and rival officers who seek to undermine him. As he navigates these obstacles, he must also contend with his own personal demons and the weight of responsibility.
By Thomas Anstey Guthrie · First published 1893 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Drama · 1,966 words
First lines
IN THE AVENUE FACING THE ARENA.
AN UNREASONABLE OLD LADY (_arriving breathless, with her grandson and niece_). This'll be the place the balloon goes up from, I wouldn't miss it for anything! Put the child up on that bench, Maria; we'll stand about here till it begins.
What this Textopian page supports
At the Military Exhibition is listed on Textopian as a novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Drama, Theater, Social Commentary
- Length: 1,966 words
- Structure: 1 section, 69 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the Military Exhibition by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- 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 At the Military Exhibition?
- How does this novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- At A Sale Of High Class Sculpture by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
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- At The Guelph Exhibition by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Higher Up by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
Genres
- Comedy — The work employs humor through dialogue and situational irony, showcasing the absurdity of the characters' perceptions and interactions.
- Satire — It critiques societal norms and attitudes towards military exhibitions and public spectacles, highlighting the folly of the characters.
- Drama — The interactions among characters reveal emotional undercurrents and conflicts, typical of dramatic literature.
- Theater — The format and structure suggest it is intended for performance, with distinct characters and dialogue-driven scenes.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Social commentary · Military life · Exhibition · Comedy · Irony · Wit · British literature · Victorian era · Short story · Fiction