His other Engagement
The story revolves around a man who has two engagements: one to his fiancée and another to the sea. He is torn between his love for her and his passion for sailing. The narrative explores themes of love, duty, and the human desire for freedom.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1903 · Genre: Romantic Comedy, Satire, Adventure · 11,211 words
First lines
Among the annals of the Petrine Club, which has for its motto the wise words of St. Peter, "I go a-fishing," there are several profitable tales. Next to the story of Beekman De Peyster's fatal success in transforming a fairly good wife into a ferocious angler, probably the most instructive is the singular adventure that befell Bolton Chichester in taking a brief vacation while he was engaged to be married. And having already told the former story as an example of the vicissitudes of "Fisherman's Luck," I now propose to narrate the latter as a striking illustration of what may happen to a man who takes "a day off."
What this Textopian page supports
His other Engagement is listed on Textopian as an essay by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Comedy, Satire, Adventure, Social Commentary, Humor
- Length: 11,211 words
- Structure: 1 section, 99 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for His other Engagement by Henry Van Dyke
- 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 His other Engagement?
- How does this essay by Henry Van Dyke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romantic Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romantic Comedy — The plot revolves around a humorous and romantic engagement story with misunderstandings and societal expectations.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes societal norms and the absurdities of romantic conventions through exaggerated characters and situations.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey and fishing expedition provide elements of adventure and exploration.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social customs and the nature of relationships, reflecting on societal values.
Tags
Romance · Fiction · Novel · Short Story Collection · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Classic Fiction · Love Story · Marriage · Engagement · Relationships · Social Commentary