The Wreck of The Golden Mary
The Wreck of the Golden Mary is a short story by Charles Dickens that tells the tale of a shipwreck and its aftermath. The story follows the journey of the Golden Mary, a British merchant vessel, as it sails through treacherous waters and ultimately meets its demise. The survivors are left to face the harsh realities of their situation, struggling to come to terms with their loss and the fate that has befallen them. Through the eyes of the narrator, Dickens explores themes of tragedy, loss, and the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.
By Charles Dickens · First published 1852 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama · 14,814 words
First lines
I was apprenticed to the Sea when I was twelve years old, and I have encountered a great deal of rough weather, both literal and metaphorical. It has always been my opinion since I first possessed such a thing as an opinion, that the man who knows only one subject is next tiresome to the man who knows no subject. Therefore, in the course of my life I have taught myself whatever I could, and although I am not an educated man, I am able, I am thankful to say, to have an intelligent interest in most things.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wreck of The Golden Mary is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles Dickens, dated 1852 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Charles Dickens
- Date: 1852 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama, Nautical, Survival
- Length: 14,814 words
- Structure: 1 section, 119 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wreck of The Golden Mary by Charles Dickens
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Wreck of The Golden Mary?
- How does this novel by Charles Dickens fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Mary Gloster by Rudyard Kipling
- The Wreck Of The Visigoth by Rudyard Kipling
- Snarleyyow by Frederick Marryat
- Derelict A Tale Of The Wayward Sea by Frank R. Stockton
- Dick Sands Convict by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- The Sealing by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Adventure — The plot predominantly revolves around the shipwreck and the crew's subsequent struggles for survival, constituting a classic adventure narrative
- Historical Fiction — Set in the mid-19th century, the narrative uses historical context and details to add depth to the storyline
- Drama — The book delivers plenty of dramatic moments, particularly concerning the crew's ordeal after the shipwreck
- Nautical — The story revolves around a ship and its crew, constituting a significant part of the narrative on the sea
Tags
shipwreck · adventure · survival · mystery · suspense · sea · maritime · narrative · humanity · fate · loss · desperation