Pollock and the Porroh Man
The story revolves around a man who becomes obsessed with a mysterious figure known as the Porroh Man. The protagonist's fixation on this character leads him to question his own identity and sanity. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers that the Porroh Man may be a manifestation of his own subconscious or a product of his imagination. The line between reality and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred, leading to a descent into madness. The novel explores themes of identity, perception, and the power of the human mind. It is a psychological thriller that challenges the reader's understanding of what is real and what is not.
By H.G. Wells · First published 1908 · Genre: Horror, Adventure, Psychological Thriller · 7,284 words
First lines
It was in a swampy village on the lagoon river behind the Turner Peninsula that Pollock's first encounter with the Porroh man occurred. The women of that country are famous for their good looks -- they are Gallinas with a dash of European blood that dates from the days of Vasco de Gama and the English slave-traders, and the Porroh man, too, was possibly inspired by a faint Caucasian taint in his composition. (It's a curious thing to think that some of us may have distant cousins eating men on Sherboro Island or raiding with the Sofas.) At anyrate, the Porroh man stabbed the woman to the heart as though he had been a mere low-class Italian, and very narrowly missed Pollock. But Pollock, using his revolver to parry the lightning stab which was aimed at his deltoid muscle, sent the iron dagger flying, and, firing, hit the man in the hand.
What this Textopian page supports
Pollock and the Porroh Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by H.G. Wells, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: H.G. Wells
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Adventure, Psychological Thriller, Colonial Fiction, Mystery
- Length: 7,284 words
- Structure: 1 section, 117 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Pollock and the Porroh Man by H.G. Wells
- 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 Pollock and the Porroh Man?
- How does this short story by H.G. Wells fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Deal In Ostriches by H. G. Wells
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Genres
- Horror — The story involves supernatural elements, curses, and a pervasive sense of dread and terror, particularly surrounding the Porroh man's head and its haunting presence.
- Adventure — The narrative follows Pollock's journey through Africa, encounters with local tribes, and the challenges he faces, typical of adventure tales.
- Psychological Thriller — The protagonist's mental deterioration and hallucinations create a tense atmosphere, focusing on his psychological state and fear.
- Colonial Fiction — Set in colonial Africa, the story explores themes of cultural clash, colonial attitudes, and the impact of European presence in Africa.
Tags
Science Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Critique of Capitalism · Utopian · Dystopian · Alternate Reality · Time Travel · Parody