The Hospitality of the Captain
The Hospitality of the Captain is a short story by G.K. Chesterton that tells the tale of a man who is invited to stay at the home of an eccentric captain. The captain's hospitality is so overwhelming that it becomes almost suffocating, and the protagonist eventually decides to leave.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1904 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Adventure · 4,799 words
First lines
DR. MOSES MEADOWS, whether that was his name or an Anglicised version of it, had certainly come in the first instance from a little town in Germany and his first two books were written in German. His first two books were his best, for he began with a genuine enthusiasm for physical science, and this was adulterated with nothing worse than a hatred of what he thought was superstition, and what many of us think is the soul of the state. The first enthusiasm was most notable in the first book, which was concerned to show that "in the female not upsprouting of the whiskers was from the therewith increasing arrested mentality derived. " In his second book he came more to grips with delusions, and for some time he was held to have proved (to everyone who agreed with him already) that the Time Ghost had been walking particularly "rapidly, lately; and that the Christus Mythus was by the alcoholic mind's trouble explained. " Then, unfortunately, he came across the institution called Death, and began to argue with it. Not seeing any rational explanation of this custom of dying, so prevalent among his fellow-citizens, he concluded that it was merely traditional (which he thought meant "effete"), and began to think of nothing but ways of evading or delaying it.
What this Textopian page supports
The Hospitality of the Captain is listed on Textopian as a novel by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: G.K. Chesterton
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Adventure, Social Commentary, Political Fiction
- Length: 4,799 words
- Structure: 1 section, 58 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hospitality of the Captain by G.K. Chesterton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Hospitality of the Captain?
- How does this novel by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Battle Of The Tunnel by G. K. Chesterton
- The Mission Of Mr Eustace Greyne by Robert Hichens
- The Sign Of The Old Ship by G. K. Chesterton
- The Surrender Of A Cockney by G. K. Chesterton
- The Nameless Man by G. K. Chesterton
- The Alternative To Barrabas by George Bernard Shaw
Genres
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and institutions, particularly through the character interactions and absurd situations.
- Comedy — The story features humorous dialogue and situations, especially in the exchanges between characters like Dr. Meadows and Captain Dalroy.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and escapades, with characters navigating various challenges and confrontations.
- Social Commentary — The text critiques social and economic systems, particularly through the depiction of business practices and legal loopholes.
Tags
hospitality · adventure · mystery · suspense · philosophy · human nature · morality · dialogue · character study · narrative · social commentary · irony