| Author |
Jacobs, W. W. (William Wymark), 1863-1943 |
| Illustrator |
Owen, Will, 1869-1957 |
| Title |
The Castaway
Odd Craft, Part 2.
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 85.0 (6th grade). Easy to read.
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| Credits |
Produced by David Widger
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| Summary |
"The Castaway" by W. W. Jacobs is a short story written during the early 20th century. This comedic piece follows the life of John Boxer, who returns home after being shipwrecked and living on a deserted island for two years. The narrative delves into themes of trust, superstition, and the absurdity of fortune-telling, as John encounters both joy and suspicion from those around him upon his return. The story begins with John Boxer reuniting with his wife, Mary, and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Gimpson, who are overwhelmed with joy at his return but soon become embroiled in discussions about a fortune-teller named Mr. Silver. As Boxer recounts his experiences at sea and on the island, tension arises when Mrs. Gimpson's lingering skepticism about his story prompts a visit to Mr. Silver. The fortune-teller’s predictions create a series of comedic misunderstandings, climaxing in revelations about Boxer’s past that threaten his marriage and challenge the beliefs of those around him. The tale concludes with a mix of farce and poignancy as John balances the absurdity of his situation with the importance of belief in one's partner. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
Humorous stories, English
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| Subject |
England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Sailors -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
12202 |
| Release Date |
Apr 1, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 14, 2020 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
41 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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