The Man Who Was Thursday

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, anarchy is defined as both the “absence or denial of any authority or established order” and “disorder.” How does the concept of anarchy contradict traditional constructions of law enforcement? In particular, why would established governments be concerned with anarchist movements? Finally, is the term anarchy subjective, especially when it is linked with spirituality? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Answer question introduces the political and sociological context of anarchy in relation to the novel’s theme of The Narrative As Metaphysical Thriller. On the surface, Chesterton’s novel explores the UK’s response to anarchy of order and law enforcement; in fact, the subject of anarchy was a popular motif of discussion in late 19th- and early 20th-century Western literature. However, you could extend this conversation to consider how the text possesses undertones of religious symbolism through biblical allegories and allusions that insinuate a deeper message related to the spiritualist transformation of the soul for followers of the Christian God. This Short Answer question connects with the main Activity.

• This article from The Victorian Web shares an overview of “Roots and Strands of Anarchism in Late Victorian Britain.”
• This journal article by Gulliver (2021) explores the role of anarchy in Chesterton’s novel in the context of its London setting.

Short Activity

Chesterton’s novel explores the motif of police work. Working in small groups, research novels set at the turn of the 20th century with a focus on the crime-solving works of police and detectives, and select one author to present to the class. How was the police work represented by this author? In particular, did they address Chesterton’s themes of Identity and Disguise, The Narrative As Metaphysical Thriller, and/or Reality Versus Fantasy? If so, how?

Teaching Suggestion: This Short Activity invites students to consider the characterization of police and detective work in literature set at the turn of the 20th century. Students should have a plethora of literature to choose from, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series, as many authors touched upon the setting of Scotland Yard in their works. Another idea is The Experiences of Loveday Brook, Lady Detective by Pirkis and the early 20th century Lady Molly of Scotland Yard by Baroness Orczy.

• BBC Bitesize discusses the development of civilian law enforcement in 19th-century UK.
• The Old Bailey Online explores the history of “Policing in London.”

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

What is the dichotomy between Reality Versus Fantasy? Can these two words refer to the same concept, or are they mutually exclusive? Provide an example from literature or another artistic medium to support your answer.

Teaching Suggestion: This Personal Connection Prompt invites students to consider the theme Reality Versus Fantasy within their own understanding. Chesterton’s novel blurs the lines between the seemingly dichotomous reality and fantasy in order to emphasize the complexities of human nature. This Prompt connects directly with the Discussion/Analysis Prompt, which asks students to consider the theme in the context of the novel.