The Great Captain by Katharine Tynan
The novel revolves around the life of a young Irishman who becomes involved with a group of revolutionaries fighting for independence from British rule. He rises through the ranks and eventually becomes known as the Great Captain, leading a successful rebellion against the British army. The story explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and the complexities of war.
By Katharine Tynan · First published 1908 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Biography, War Literature · 8 chapters · 20,021 words
First lines
I never knew my father and mother, having been born into a time like that of the great desolation foretold by the Scriptures. They were the days of what I have heard called the Rebellion of the Desmonds, when that great league was made against the power of Eliza, the English Queen, by the Irish princes, which went down in a red sunset of death and blood. Indeed I myself had starved, like other innocents, on the breasts of their dead mothers, had it not been for the pity of him I must ever regard as the greatest of Englishmen, albeit no friend, but rather the spoiler, of those of my blood and faith.
What this Textopian page supports
The Great Captain is listed on Textopian as a novel by Katharine Tynan, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Katharine Tynan
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Biography, War Literature, Drama, Romance
- Length: 20,021 words
- Structure: 8 chapters, 247 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Great Captain by Katharine Tynan
- 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 The Great Captain?
- How does this novel by Katharine Tynan fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against a historical backdrop, exploring events and characters from a specific time period.
- Biography — The story focuses on the life and experiences of a significant historical figure.
- War Literature — The themes revolve around conflict, military experiences, and the impact of war on individuals and society.
- Drama — The plot contains intense emotional conflicts and character development, typical of dramatic storytelling.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Adventure · War Novel · Irish Literature · 19th Century Setting · Military Fiction · Love Story · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Coming of Age · Nationalism
Contents
- Of myself, that Great Captain Sir Walter Raleigh, and of how I Became his Leal Man
- The Apparition of the Monk
- Of my Secret, the Lord Boyle, and other Matters
- The Dead Hand
- Of a Strait Place and a Quiet Time
- The Treasure-Ship
- Our Last Years Together
- An Unravelled Thread