The Passage of the Palmetto

Name: The Passage of the Palmetto
Author: John Arthur Barry

The Passage of the Palmetto is a historical novel set in the early 1800s in the American South. It follows the story of a young man named John, who is born into a family of slave owners in South Carolina. After his father dies, John is sent to live with his uncle in Charleston, where he is exposed to the realities of slavery and the growing abolitionist movement. John is determined to make a difference and joins the abolitionist cause, but his efforts are met with resistance from his family and the community. He is forced to make difficult choices as he navigates the dangerous waters of the slave trade and the politics of the time. The novel follows John's journey as he struggles to find his place in a world that is rapidly changing. Along the way, he discovers the power of friendship, loyalty, and courage, and learns the importance of standing up for what is right. The Passage of the Palmetto is a powerful story of courage and conviction in the face of adversity.

By John Arthur Barry · First published 1899 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War · 1,083 words

First lines

There are many pleasanter spots than the deck of a sailing ship, as on some winter's morning she hangs to the buoy at Gravesend ready for a start; and Merchant Jack, both fore and aft, as he eyes the cold, grey sky and low-lying dingy shores on either hand, curses the climate, the service, and his bad luck in not having shipped on board a steamer in place of on a wind-jammer. That is in these days. In the old ones, he took matters as they came, rather, indeed, affected to look down upon all "smoke jacks," and prided himself upon belonging to a "flier." Steam, however, has changed all that. There are no "fliers" to speak of now, and British Merchant Jack has become so scarce that the powers that be, alarmed lest he should disappear altogether, have caught a lot of him young, and sent him in mobs to learn his trade in certain merchant ships, and qualify himself in some of the good old-fashioned seamanship before inevitable steam claims him for its own.

What this Textopian page supports

The Passage of the Palmetto is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Arthur Barry, dated 1899 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: John Arthur Barry
Date: 1899 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, War, Romance
Length: 1,083 words
Structure: 1 section, 31 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Work identity for The Passage of the Palmetto by John Arthur Barry
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The Passage of the Palmetto is set in the American Civil War and follows the story of a Confederate soldier, making it a historical fiction novel.
Adventure — The Passage of the Palmetto follows the protagonist's journey through the Civil War, making it an adventure novel.
War — The Passage of the Palmetto is set during the American Civil War, making it a war novel.
Romance — The Passage of the Palmetto follows the protagonist's relationship with a woman he meets during the war, making it a romance novel.