Jim Sulivan's Adventures in the Great Snow

Name: Jim Sulivan's Adventures in the Great Snow
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu

The narrative follows Jim Sulivan, a well-meaning but unlucky man, who marries the beautiful yet tempestuous Nell Gorman. Their marriage is fraught with conflict, primarily due to Nell's fiery temper, which often results in physical altercations. One evening, after a particularly heated argument, Jim leaves home, only to learn from a servant that his uncle is dying. He rushes to his uncle's side, but upon arrival, he finds his uncle recovering, leading to a prolonged stay due to heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, Nell grows increasingly anxious about Jim's absence, fearing he has met with misfortune. In her distress, she orders a search for him, which results in the discovery of a dead traveler who resembles Jim. Mistaken for her husband, the traveler is buried, and Nell soon remarries Andy Curtis, believing Jim to be dead. When Jim finally returns home after the snow melts, he finds his house locked and learns from Nell that she has moved on. In a drunken state, he attempts to force his way in, leading to a series of misunderstandings where Nell and her new husband believe Jim's spirit is haunting them. They summon a priest to lay the ghost, resulting in comedic chaos when Jim, still alive, inadvertently interrupts the ceremony. The priest, mistaking Jim for a ghost, panics and flees, while the situation is clarified, leading to Jim's re-marriage to Nell. The story concludes with a humorous twist, highlighting themes of love, misunderstanding, and the absurdity of life, all set against a backdrop of rural Irish culture.

By Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu · First published 1868 · Genre: Fiction, Comedy, Folklore · 5,428 words

First lines

Jim Sulivan was a dacent, honest boy as you'd find in the seven parishes, an' he was a beautiful singer, an' an illegant dancer intirely, an' a mighty plisant boy in himself; but he had the divil's bad luck, for he married for love, an 'av coorse he niver had an asy minute afther.

Nell Gorman was the girl he fancied, an' a beautiful slip of a girl she was, jist twinty to the minute when he married her. She was as round an' as complate in all her shapes as a firkin, you'd think, an' her two cheeks was as fat an' as red, it id open your heart to look at them.

What this Textopian page supports

Jim Sulivan's Adventures in the Great Snow is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, dated 1868 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu
Date: 1868 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fiction, Comedy, Folklore, Tragedy, Ghost Story
Length: 5,428 words
Structure: 1 section, 88 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fiction — The narrative is a fictional story centered around the character Jim Sulivan and his experiences.
Comedy — The story contains humorous elements, particularly in the interactions between Jim and his wife, as well as the absurdity of the situations.
Folklore — The story reflects elements of Irish folklore, including traditional characters and themes of marriage and misfortune.
Tragedy — The plot involves themes of misfortune and the tragic consequences of Jim's relationship with his wife.