Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Nunc Dimittis is a short, sharp, thrilling story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale.
In Nunc Dimittis, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a dark story about the sinister side of human nature. Here, a slighted old man takes an elaborate and chilling revenge on his tormentor . . .
Nunc Dimittis is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You, which includes seventeen other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who serves a dish that baffles the police; a curious machine that reveals the horrifying truth about plants; the man waiting to be bitten by the venomous snake asleep on his stomach; and others.
'The absolute master of the twist in the tale' (Observer)
This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by the legendary Derek Jacobi.
Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story features a plot where an old man takes elaborate and chilling revenge on his tormentor, indicating a significant level of violence in the narrative. This theme aligns with Dahl's typical exploration of darker aspects of human nature. The story is described as dark and involves chilling revenge, which could be considered scary or unsettling for some readers, particularly due to its exploration of the sinister side of human nature.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have violence?
The story features a plot where an old man takes elaborate and chilling revenge on his tormentor, indicating a significant level of violence in the narrative. This theme aligns with Dahl's typical exploration of darker aspects of human nature.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have scary content?
The story is described as dark and involves chilling revenge, which could be considered scary or unsettling for some readers, particularly due to its exploration of the sinister side of human nature.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have religious themes?
The title 'Nunc Dimittis' refers to a biblical phrase often associated with the prayer of Simeon, which expresses a sense of peace upon seeing the infant Jesus. This connection suggests a religious undertone, though the story itself does not focus on religious themes.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have racial/cultural content?
There are no explicit themes of race or racism in 'Nunc Dimittis'. The search results do not indicate any racial elements or discussions within the story.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have profanity?
There is no indication of profanity in 'Nunc Dimittis'. The search results do not mention any use of strong language or inappropriate terms.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have climate change?
There are no climate-related themes in 'Nunc Dimittis'. The search results do not mention any environmental issues or activism within the story.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in 'Nunc Dimittis'. The search results do not reference any sexual themes or elements within the story.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have gender roles?
The story does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. While it features characters, it does not focus on themes related to gender expectations or feminism.
Does Nunc Dimittis (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are present in the story 'Nunc Dimittis'. The search results do not indicate any relevant content related to LGBTQ+ themes.
