In an Omnibus
The story revolves around a group of people from different social classes who are brought together by fate on an omnibus during a snowstorm. As they try to reach their destination, the bus becomes stuck in the snow, and the passengers are forced to spend the night together. Through conversations and interactions, the characters' personalities, backgrounds, and motivations are revealed, exposing their flaws and insecurities.
By Thomas Anstey Guthrie · First published 1891 · Genre: Comedy, Social Commentary, Satire · 2,092 words
First lines
_The majority of the inside passengers, as usual, sit in solemn silence, and gaze past their opposite neighbours into vacancy. A couple of Matrons converse in wheezy whispers_.
FIRST MATRON. Well, I must say a bus is pleasanter riding than what they used to be not many years back, and then so much cheaper, too. Why you can go all the way right from here to Mile End Road for threepence!
What this Textopian page supports
In an Omnibus is listed on Textopian as a novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Social Commentary, Satire, Drama, Slice of Life
- Length: 2,092 words
- Structure: 1 section, 52 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for In an Omnibus 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 In an Omnibus?
- How does this novel by Thomas Anstey Guthrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The book employs humor through dialogue and character interactions, showcasing comedic situations and misunderstandings.
- Social Commentary — It reflects on social norms, class distinctions, and human behavior within the context of public transport.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes societal behaviors and attitudes, particularly through the conversations of the passengers.
- Drama — The characters' personal stories and emotional conflicts provide dramatic elements within the comedic framework.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Social commentary · Victorian era · British literature · Short stories · Collection · Wit · Irony · Cynicism · Urban life · City dwellers