The Celestial Omnibus story

shortstory: The Celestial Omnibus (1911) · 1911 · E. M. Forster

A boy comes across an unusual omnibus that takes him to a fantasy land where he meets imaginary and historical figures.

8 total · 4 choice · 4 major

ThemeLevelMotivation
literature appreciation choice The boy had started to discover something of his own but was rebuked by the learned old poet Septimus who was too set in his ways.
poetry choice Septimus was into poetry. The boy was forced to learn poetry. The story seems to be a rebuke aimed at literary snobbery.
the value of imagination choice Septimus was rebuked for censoring the boy's imagination
what if I met an historical figure choice boy and Septimus met various historical and mythological figures such as Shelley and Achilles
childhood imaginary friend major The boy's new friends might have been imaginary.
escape from reality major was the omnibus merely an escape from reality?
father and son major the boy's father disbelieved and beat him
what if I told the truth and nobody would believe me major the boy's father disbelieved and beat him