Keeping up Appearances by W.W. Jacobs
A superstitious night-watchman introduces a tale about a man known for his weak adherence to sobriety and an unusual pact with an old sea comrade. The pact, made in youthful imprudence, decrees that should one of them die first, his ghost would appear to admonish the survivor. The protagonist, already inclined toward superstition and habitual drinking, becomes the subject of an elaborate practical joke when his friend – now deceased – returns in the guise of a ghost. With the help of the protagonist’s wife, who is determined to curb his drinking, the “ghost” is carefully fabricated using makeup, eerie sound effects, and a staged nighttime visit. During the late hours, the apparition confronts him with dire warnings, compelling him to swear an oath to abandon alcohol altogether. The ghostly visitation intertwines humor with a moral lesson, as the protagonist, stricken with fear and remorse, accepts the conditions imposed by his phantom friend. Concurrently, his wife, both exasperated and relieved by his fright, takes charge of managing their household’s limited resources, arranging to send money by post so as to keep him from indulging in his vice. The narrative satirizes the human tendency to embrace superstitious beliefs blindly, presenting an absurd yet pointed commentary on the consequences of credulity. The ghost’s intervention, whether real or artfully contrived, becomes a catalyst for change: it compels the man to adhere strictly to his oath, thereby curbing his self-destructive behavior. In doing so, the work humorously explores themes of personal reformation, marital dynamics, and the interplay between belief and behavior, ultimately suggesting that a well-timed scare can have lasting, transformative effects on a person’s life.
By W.W. Jacobs · First published 1902 · Genre: Horror Comedy, Supernatural Fiction, Dark Comedy · 4,677 words
Editions
First lines
"Everybody is superstitious," said the night-watchman, as he gave utterance to a series of chirruping endearments to a black cat with one eye that had just been using a leg of his trousers as a serviette; "if that cat 'ad stole some men's suppers they'd have acted foolish, and suffered for it all the rest of their lives."
What this Textopian page supports
Keeping up Appearances is listed on Textopian as a short story by W.W. Jacobs, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: W.W. Jacobs
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror Comedy, Supernatural Fiction, Dark Comedy, Folk Tale, Gothic Fiction
- Length: 4,677 words
- Structure: 1 section, 112 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Keeping up Appearances by W.W. Jacobs
- 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
Genres
- Horror Comedy — The narrative fuses supernatural ghost elements with farcical and absurd situations, creating a humorous yet eerie atmosphere.
- Supernatural Fiction — The ghostly visitation and its consequences form the core of the plot, emphasizing a belief in the otherworldly.
- Dark Comedy — The macabre circumstances, including a spectral visitation that forces moral decisions, are presented with a grimly humorous tone.
- Folk Tale — The use of local dialect, superstitions, and traditional storytelling methods connects the narrative to folk traditions.
Tags
humorous · satirical · irony · short story · social commentary · class satire · witty · British literature · unexpected twist · character study · social pretension · narrative humor