The Match by James Oliver Curwood
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her childhood home after being away for several years. She finds herself drawn into the lives of the people in the small town and becomes involved with a local man. As she gets to know him, she begins to uncover secrets about his past that threaten to tear them apart.
By James Oliver Curwood · First published 1913 · Genre: Adventure, Drama, Crime · 6,174 words
First lines
Sergeant Brokaw was hatchet-faced, with shifting pale blue eyes that had a glint of cruelty in them. He was tall, and thin, and lithe as a cat. He belonged to the Royal Northwest Mounted Police, and was one of the best men on the trail that had ever gone into the North. His business was man hunting. Ten years of seeking after human prey had given to him many of the characteristics of a fox. For six of those ten years he had represented law north of fifty-three. Now he had come to the end of his last hunt, close up to the Arctic Circle. For one hundred and eighty-seven days he had been following a man. The hunt had begun in midsummer, and it was now midwinter. Billy Loring, who was wanted for murder, had been a hard man to find. But he was caught at last, and Brokaw was keenly exultant. It was his greatest achievement. It would mean a great deal for him down at headquarters.
What this Textopian page supports
The Match is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Oliver Curwood, dated 1913 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Oliver Curwood
- Date: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Crime, Thriller, Romance
- Length: 6,174 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Match by James Oliver Curwood
- 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 Match?
- How does this short story by James Oliver Curwood fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The narrative centers around a perilous journey in the harsh northern wilderness, highlighting survival against the elements.
- Drama — The story delves into intense emotional conflicts, including themes of love, sacrifice, and moral dilemmas.
- Crime — The plot involves a manhunt for a fugitive accused of murder, exploring themes of justice and law enforcement.
- Thriller — The tension and suspense are maintained through the life-and-death stakes faced by the characters in the unforgiving environment.
Tags
Adventure · Romance · Historical Fiction · Wilderness · Survival · Love Story · Native American · Frontier Life · Pioneering Spirit · Exploration · Action · Thriller