The Admirable Crichton

Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew), 1860-1937Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.0

Word count: 140K words
Chapters: 15

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Admirable Crichton by J. M. BarrieAuthor: Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew), 1860-1937,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Oct 1, 2002

Editor's review

The Admirable Crichton is a socially satirical play by J. M. Barrie that revolves around the hierarchy between an aristocratic family and their servants; an accident overturns the class order, prompting the question of what actually defines so-called competence and respectability. The work wraps its reflection on class attitudes in light comic technique; the dialogue is witty and the situations are vividly stage-worthy, making for a read that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. As a public-domain ebook, this edition is released by Project Gutenberg, making the original text freely available on electronic devices. It suits readers interested in English literature, dramatic texts, or issues of social class as an introductory read, and also suits English learners looking for a moderately lengthed play for close reading. While reading, note the contrasts in characters' words and actions and the satire the author plants, and appreciate the clash of ideas beneath the comic surface.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in English drama and comic texts
Literature enthusiasts who want to understand class issues through a play
Learners with some English proficiency who wish to read the original closely
Teachers and students who need a short play for classroom discussion

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer long-form narrative or complex plots
Readers expecting a pure love story or adventure tale
Beginners whose English reading is not yet fluent and who need annotations

Reading tips

First read the whole play to grasp the plot's direction, then return to close-read the irony in the characters' dialogue.
Try reading aloud by role to experience the play's stage rhythm and comic effect.
After reading, write a short review connecting it to issues of class and identity to sort out your own judgment.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a novel or a play?

It is a play by J. M. Barrie, composed of dialogue and stage directions. When reading, understand its structure by dramatic scenes rather than by novel chapters.

How difficult is the English? Is it suitable for self-study?

The language is mainly dialogue and the length is not long, but it contains some period usage and satirical expression. Self-learners with intermediate English reading ability can read it through with a dictionary, focusing on grasping the characters' tone and the contrasts in situations.

Do I need to know the author's other works before reading?

No. This book can be read independently and does not rely on knowledge of the author's other works. If you are interested in Barrie's style, you can learn about his other plays and novels after finishing it.

Comments

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About the author

Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew), 1860-1937 Author

J. M. Barrie (James Matthew Barrie, 1860–1937) was a British writer best known for creating the literary figure of Peter Pan. Thirty of his works are held in this collection, including Peter and Wendy, Peter Pan, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, The Little White Bird, and Sentimental Tommy. The Peter Pan stories are the most widely known, telling of a boy who refuses to grow up and his adventures in Neverland; they combine the wonder of fairy tale with gentle reflections on childhood, growing up, and loss, and have been adapted for stage and screen many times. Barrie's writing is delicate and tinged with sentiment, moving between everyday life and fantasy, and his works are often grouped under inspirational coming-of-age reading. Public information on the details of his life is limited, so no conjecture is offered here.