The Sign of "the Old Ship"
The Sign of the Old Ship is a collection of short stories by G.K. Chesterton. The book includes tales about detectives, ghosts, and other mysterious occurrences. One story in particular, "The Hammer of God," follows a priest who must confront a demonic force that has taken over his church. Another story, "The Sign of the Broken Sword," tells the tale of a soldier who is haunted by the memory of a battle he fought years ago. Overall, the book is known for its clever plot twists and intriguing characters.
By G.K. Chesterton · First published 1908 · Genre: Mystery, Comedy, Adventure · 3,416 words
First lines
UPON few of the children of men has the surname of Pump fallen, and of these few have been maddened into naming a child Humphrey in addition to it. To such extremity, however, had the parents of the innkeeper at "The Old Ship" proceeded, that their son might come at last to be called "Hump" by his dearest friends, and "Pumph" by an aged Turk with a green umbrella. All this, or all he knew of it, he endured with a sour smile; for he was of a stoical temper.
What this Textopian page supports
The Sign of "the Old Ship" is listed on Textopian as a novel by G.K. Chesterton, dated 1908 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: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Comedy, Adventure, Satire, Historical Fiction
- Length: 3,416 words
- Structure: 1 section, 39 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Sign of "the Old Ship" 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Sign of "the Old Ship"?
- How does this novel by G.K. Chesterton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Hospitality Of The Captain by G. K. Chesterton
- The Battle Of The Tunnel by G. K. Chesterton
- The Architect Of Spears by G. K. Chesterton
- The Long Bow by G. K. Chesterton
- The Red Moon Of Meru by G. K. Chesterton
- The Mission Of Mr Eustace Greyne by Robert Hichens
Genres
- Mystery — The narrative involves enigmatic characters and events, creating a sense of intrigue and suspense.
- Comedy — The story contains humorous elements and witty dialogue, contributing to a comedic tone.
- Adventure — The plot includes adventurous elements, such as the mention of travels and exploits.
- Satire — The text satirizes societal norms and behaviors, particularly through its characters and their interactions.
Tags
mystery · adventure · detective · philosophy · faith · morality · suspense · narrative · symbolism · historical · Christianity · allegory