The Three Sisters by W. W. Jacobs
The Three Sisters is a classic short story by W. W. Jacobs. It tells the story of three sisters, Mary, Jane, and Susan, who live in a small village in England. The sisters are all unmarried and live together in a small cottage. They are content with their lives, but they are also lonely. One day, a mysterious stranger arrives in the village and takes up residence in the cottage next door. The stranger, who is never named, is a strange and mysterious figure. He is always seen wearing a long black cloak and a wide-brimmed hat. He never speaks to anyone, and no one knows where he came from or why he is there. The sisters become increasingly curious about the stranger, and they begin to watch him from their windows. They soon discover that he is a magician, and they become fascinated by his strange powers. One day, the sisters decide to invite the stranger into their home. He agrees, and they soon become close friends. The stranger teaches them about magic and helps them to understand the mysteries of life. The story ends with the sisters realizing that the stranger has been sent to them by a higher power, and they are grateful for the friendship and knowledge he has brought into their lives.
By W. W. Jacobs · First published 1843 · Genre: Fiction, Short Story, Humor · 3,323 words
First lines
Thirty years ago on a wet autumn evening the household of Mallett's Lodge was gathered round the death-bed of Ursula Mallow, the eldest of the three sisters who inhabited it. The dingy moth-eaten curtains of the old wooden bedstead were drawn apart, the light of a smoking oil- lamp falling upon the hopeless countenance of the dying woman as she turned her dull eyes upon her sisters. The room was in silence except for an occasional sob from the youngest sister, Eunice. Outside the rain fell steadily over the steaming marshes.
What this Textopian page supports
The Three Sisters is listed on Textopian as a short story by W. W. Jacobs, dated 1843 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: 1843 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Humor, Mystery
- Length: 3,323 words
- Structure: 1 section, 65 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Three Sisters by W. W. Jacobs
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Three Sisters?
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Similar titles
- Back To Back by W. W. Jacobs
- Twice Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Mr Justice Raffles by E. W. Hornung
- The Mystery Of The Ravenspurs by Fred M. White
- The Waif Woman by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Wyndham Towers by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
Genres
- Fiction — The Three Sisters is a work of fiction written by W. W. Jacobs.
- Short Story — The Three Sisters is a short story, as it is a relatively short work of fiction.
- Humor — The Three Sisters contains humorous elements, such as the characters' interactions and the unexpected plot twists.
- Mystery — The Three Sisters contains elements of mystery, as the reader is left to guess the outcome of the story until the very end.
Tags
Humorous stories · Short stories · bed · cried · dark · day · dead · deep · door · effort · eunice · eyes