Bill's Lapse by W. W. Jacobs

"Bill's Lapse" by W. W. Jacobs is a short story written during the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the character of Bill Burton, a physically strong yet kind-hearted sailor who struggles with his decision to abstain from alcohol. The story explores themes of friendship, consequences of drinking, and the internal conflict surrounding personal choices. The plot follows Bill's return to drinking after a period of teetotalism, influenced by his friends who frequent the local pubs. In an evening of revelry, Bill's demeanor spirals out of control, and he becomes aggressive, injuring his friends in a drunken outburst. After a night of chaos, he wakes up to the realization of his actions, feeling deeply remorseful as he sees the effects of his drunkenness on his pals. Bill, overwhelmed with guilt, decides he must leave town, leading to a humorous yet tragic attempt to escape his fate. Ultimately, the story highlights the struggles of addiction and the ramifications of one's choices on relationships with others. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Jacobs, W. W. (William Wymark), 1863-1943
Illustrator Owen, Will, 1869-1957
Title Bill's Lapse
Odd Craft, Part 4.
Credits Produced by David Widger
Reading Level Reading ease score: 88.9 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
Subject Humorous stories, English
Subject England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
Subject Sailors -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 12204
Release Date
Last Update Oct 28, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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