This essay outlines strategies for teaching "In the Cage" (1898), James's tale of a young, female telegraphist who becomes obsessed with an affair between two customers, in relation to the theory and history of media--not only a topic of increasing critical interest but also one that resonates with students' encounters with new technologies. The article includes a capsule history of the telegraph, a comparison between "In the Cage" and Anthony Trollope's "The Telegraph Girl" (1877), sample discussion topics and writing assignments, and a bibliography of related books and articles.