The Old Man of the Sea by W. W. Jacobs

"The Old Man of the Sea" by W. W. Jacobs is a humorous short story written during the early 20th century. This tale features the comical interactions between two men, Mr. George Wright and the old seaman Mr. Kemp, as they concoct an elaborate scheme rooted in pretense and deception. The narrative revolves around the themes of wealth, friendship, and the circumstances that arise from lying; it ultimately provides a satirical look at social aspirations and relationships. The story unfolds with George Wright seeking the help of Mr. Kemp to pose as a wealthy uncle from New Zealand in order to impress a young woman named Bella, whom he wishes to court. The duo embarks on their charade, with Mr. Kemp engaging in extravagant storytelling and flamboyant behavior to create an aura of wealth. However, the deception escalates when the old man enjoys his role too much and complicates matters by expressing a desire to stay permanently and pursue Mrs. Bradshaw, Bella’s mother. As the story develops, misunderstandings and comical conflicts arise, culminating in a twist that leaves the characters—especially the frustrated Mr. Wright—in a humorous predicament, made all the more absurd by the old man's unpredictable nature and unquenchable love for cab rides and casual spending. (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 The Old Man of the Sea
Ship's Company, Part 11.
Credits Produced by David Widger
Reading Level Reading ease score: 84.9 (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
Category Text
eBook-No. 10571
Release Date
Last Update Oct 28, 2024
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
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