The Deserter by Richard Harding Davis
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"The Deserter" by Richard Harding Davis is a short story written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers on the theme of duty and loyalty, particularly in the context of war. Set during World War I, it explores the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers, particularly through the character of a young American man named Hamlin, who grapples with the temptation to desert the British Army while stationed in Salonika. The story
follows Hamlin, who, having been worn down by the harsh realities of trench warfare and physical suffering, considers escaping back home rather than fulfilling his commitment to the army. Interactions with fellow war correspondents emphasize the inner turmoil and conflict he faces as they try to dissuade him from abandoning his post. Despite the hardships he endures, including illness and the brutal conditions of war, Hamlin ultimately realizes that desertion would tarnish the experiences he has gained and the stories he wishes to tell. The narrative culminates in his decision to return to duty, illustrating the complexities of honor, responsibility, and the consequences of one’s choices in times of crisis. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Davis, Richard Harding, 1864-1916 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Deserter |
| Credits | Produced by Audrey Longhurst, Stephanie Tarnacki and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 81.3 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | World War, 1914-1918 -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 15089 |
| Release Date | Feb 17, 2005 |
| Last Update | Dec 14, 2020 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 279 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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