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The Awful Fate Of Melpomenus Jones: Short Story
They say that some people have a difficult time making their excuses and saying goodbye. When, exactly, does one wear out his welcome? The answer to this is found in the awful, yet humorous, fate of one Melpomenus Jones. “The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones” is representative of author Stephen Leacock’s writing style where he pokes fun at social absurdities and irrational behaviour. This short story was adapted into a short animated film in 1983. HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
11 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2013
23 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leacock
511 books105 followersStephen P. H. Butler Leacock, FRSC, was a Canadian teacher, political scientist, writer, and humorist. Between the years 1915 and 1925, he was the best-known English-speaking humorist in the world. He is known for his light humour along with criticisms of people's follies. The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour was named in his honour.
Wikipedia article.
Wikipedia article.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2019
“Some people - not you nor I, because we are so awfully self-possessed - but some people, find great difficulty in saying good-bye when making a call or spending the evening. As the moment draws near when the visitor feels that he is fairly entitled to go away he rises and says abruptly, “Well, I think I…” Then the people say, “Oh, must you go now? Surely it’s early yet!” and a pitiful struggle ensues.”
In this first paragraph of the short story The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones, we have the whole crux of this droll short story, which was written by a master of the art, Stephen Leacock. For who has not sensed this personally for themselves, from time to time, or even as a host themselves perhaps, issued similar regrets? It is natural, a social convention arising from a genuine fellow feeling.
But what if this should be taken too literally, and stretched too far? Here the author uses his considerable story-telling skill to present us with the absurd extreme situation, which could arise.
The eponymous Melpomenus (so to speak), was a twenty three year old clergyman. He was shy, inoffensive, and unwaveringly polite. He was “too modest to tell a lie, and too religious to wish to appear rude”. So much so, that when he was visiting some friends of his, they naturally professed regret when he attempted to take his leave. Surely he could stay a while longer?
“Jones was always truthful”. And this was his downfall.
Perhaps unaware of nuances of speech, and the oiling of the cogs of social etiquette, the poor fellow ended up staying with his friends for hours, becoming more moody and unapproachable by the minute. Days passed, and still he remained there, sitting on the sofa, miserably drinking endless cups of tea, looking at photos, and attempting to chat with the members of that family. He became desperate to leave, as did his hosts, who attempted to facilitate this by making barbed or slightly sarcastic comments,
“papa put Jones to bed in the spare room and cursed him heartily.”
but all passed without the young clergyman’s ability to grasp the nettle.
The situation became more absurd; as unbelievably absurd as one might expect in an ironically satirical short story. How could this possibly end? Did Melpomenus Jones ever find the right time to say goodbye to his friends and go to continue his six weeks’ vacation? Or did they finally become so frustrated by the situation that they pushed him out of the door?
Finally, the situation was resolved, but not in the way anyone except perhaps a writer could imagine. The ending is absurd, poignant, and once read, seems to have been logically foretold.
Stephen Leacock was an award-winning Canadian humourist and writer noted for both short stories and novels. The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones was published in 1910, but there may have been an earlier edition. His popularity was such that between 1915 and 1925 he was the most popular humourist in the English-speaking world, yet now he is perhaps lesser known. This short story is lively and a joy to read, in the tradition of Saki, or O. Henry.
And what of that name? Why choose such a mouthful?
“Melpomenus” was not a name I knew, but in Ancient Greek, “Μελπομένη”, or “Melpomene” means “to sing”, “that which is melodious”, or “to celebrate with dance and song”. Ancient Roman and Greek poetry would invoke the goddess Melpomene so that one might create beautiful lyrical phrases. She was initially the Muse of Chorus, and then became the Muse of Tragedy, for which she is now best known. Perhaps this is the key.
For of course poor Melpomenus Jones did affect to wish everything to be melodious, without a ripple of discontent. His tragedy, and that of all round him, was that he did not know when to call a halt.
It is indeed a cautionary tale.
In this first paragraph of the short story The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones, we have the whole crux of this droll short story, which was written by a master of the art, Stephen Leacock. For who has not sensed this personally for themselves, from time to time, or even as a host themselves perhaps, issued similar regrets? It is natural, a social convention arising from a genuine fellow feeling.
But what if this should be taken too literally, and stretched too far? Here the author uses his considerable story-telling skill to present us with the absurd extreme situation, which could arise.
The eponymous Melpomenus (so to speak), was a twenty three year old clergyman. He was shy, inoffensive, and unwaveringly polite. He was “too modest to tell a lie, and too religious to wish to appear rude”. So much so, that when he was visiting some friends of his, they naturally professed regret when he attempted to take his leave. Surely he could stay a while longer?
“Jones was always truthful”. And this was his downfall.
Perhaps unaware of nuances of speech, and the oiling of the cogs of social etiquette, the poor fellow ended up staying with his friends for hours, becoming more moody and unapproachable by the minute. Days passed, and still he remained there, sitting on the sofa, miserably drinking endless cups of tea, looking at photos, and attempting to chat with the members of that family. He became desperate to leave, as did his hosts, who attempted to facilitate this by making barbed or slightly sarcastic comments,
“papa put Jones to bed in the spare room and cursed him heartily.”
but all passed without the young clergyman’s ability to grasp the nettle.
The situation became more absurd; as unbelievably absurd as one might expect in an ironically satirical short story. How could this possibly end? Did Melpomenus Jones ever find the right time to say goodbye to his friends and go to continue his six weeks’ vacation? Or did they finally become so frustrated by the situation that they pushed him out of the door?
Finally, the situation was resolved, but not in the way anyone except perhaps a writer could imagine. The ending is absurd, poignant, and once read, seems to have been logically foretold.
Stephen Leacock was an award-winning Canadian humourist and writer noted for both short stories and novels. The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones was published in 1910, but there may have been an earlier edition. His popularity was such that between 1915 and 1925 he was the most popular humourist in the English-speaking world, yet now he is perhaps lesser known. This short story is lively and a joy to read, in the tradition of Saki, or O. Henry.
And what of that name? Why choose such a mouthful?
“Melpomenus” was not a name I knew, but in Ancient Greek, “Μελπομένη”, or “Melpomene” means “to sing”, “that which is melodious”, or “to celebrate with dance and song”. Ancient Roman and Greek poetry would invoke the goddess Melpomene so that one might create beautiful lyrical phrases. She was initially the Muse of Chorus, and then became the Muse of Tragedy, for which she is now best known. Perhaps this is the key.
For of course poor Melpomenus Jones did affect to wish everything to be melodious, without a ripple of discontent. His tragedy, and that of all round him, was that he did not know when to call a halt.
It is indeed a cautionary tale.
January 1, 2019
Canadian author Stephen Leacock uses humor when describing Melpomenus Jones, a curate who didn't know how to leave people when he was visiting. He was too polite and religious to tell a lie or act rudely. We've all seen situations where people were pressed to stay when they wanted to go home. Leacock exaggerates this in a humorous short story about polite social behavior taken to an extreme.
January 9, 2019
Poor Mr. Jones, he wanted go, but he couldn't be rude and had no skills for lying. So, there he, stuck so to speak. A very funny and yet sad little missive that strikes, oddly enough, at a common problem in society. Of course, I am neither as polite or as shy as Jones, but I'm betting I have overstayed my welcome a time or two.
December 9, 2018
I really must go...
February 15, 2021
Poor Melpomenus
December 19, 2025
The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones is Stephen Leacock’s masterclass in comic disproportion, where minor social circumstances spiral into catastrophic misunderstanding. Leacock’s genius lies in his ability to inflate triviality until it collapses under its own weight, revealing the fragility of reputation and the cruelty of collective judgment.
The story’s humour unfolds through escalation. Each moment builds logically upon the last, yet the cumulative effect feels absurd. Leacock demonstrates how social systems amplify error, transforming coincidence into narrative certainty. The tragedy—if it can be called that—lies not in malice but in misinterpretation.
Stylistically, Leacock balances detachment with sympathy. His narrator maintains a mock-solemn tone that heightens the irony, treating farce with the seriousness of epic. This contrast generates laughter while reinforcing the critique: society often treats the insignificant as monumental when it fits a convenient story.
Postmodern in impulse, the story questions how meaning is assigned. Identity becomes externally constructed, shaped by gossip, assumptions, and momentum. Once a narrative takes hold, it resists correction. Leacock anticipates modern anxieties about reputation economies and social contagion.
The tone remains compassionate. Leacock does not delight in humiliation; he exposes it. His humour functions as critique, not punishment. The reader laughs, then pauses, recognizing the mechanisms at work.
The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones endures because it captures a universal fear: being misunderstood beyond recovery. Leacock transforms that fear into comedy without diminishing its truth, offering laughter as both recognition and resistance.
Most recommended.
The story’s humour unfolds through escalation. Each moment builds logically upon the last, yet the cumulative effect feels absurd. Leacock demonstrates how social systems amplify error, transforming coincidence into narrative certainty. The tragedy—if it can be called that—lies not in malice but in misinterpretation.
Stylistically, Leacock balances detachment with sympathy. His narrator maintains a mock-solemn tone that heightens the irony, treating farce with the seriousness of epic. This contrast generates laughter while reinforcing the critique: society often treats the insignificant as monumental when it fits a convenient story.
Postmodern in impulse, the story questions how meaning is assigned. Identity becomes externally constructed, shaped by gossip, assumptions, and momentum. Once a narrative takes hold, it resists correction. Leacock anticipates modern anxieties about reputation economies and social contagion.
The tone remains compassionate. Leacock does not delight in humiliation; he exposes it. His humour functions as critique, not punishment. The reader laughs, then pauses, recognizing the mechanisms at work.
The Awful Fate of Melpomenus Jones endures because it captures a universal fear: being misunderstood beyond recovery. Leacock transforms that fear into comedy without diminishing its truth, offering laughter as both recognition and resistance.
Most recommended.
December 31, 2022
I started off liking this, and then found it got a little silly. Which, I know, I know. Was the point.
June 7, 2024
need a modern retelling with a teenage girl on facetime with her partner
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews