An Island Memory by Louis Becke
The story revolves around a young man who becomes embroiled in the lives of a group of islanders after being shipwrecked on their shores. He learns about their customs and traditions, and eventually falls in love with one of the island women. As he navigates his new surroundings, he must confront the harsh realities of life on the island, including poverty, disease, and violence. The young man's experiences serve as a commentary on the clash between Western culture and traditional island ways. Throughout the narrative, themes of identity, community, and the human condition are explored in depth. The story is characterized by its vivid descriptions of island life and its nuanced portrayal of the complexities of human relationships.
By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 10,363 words
First lines
I.
From early dawn wild excitement had prevailed in the great native village on the shores of Port Lele, and on board two ships which were anchored on the placid waters of the land-locked harbour. As the fleecy, cloud-like mist which, during the night, had enveloped the forest-clad spurs and summit of Mont Buache, was dispelled by the first airs of the awakened trade wind and the yellow shafts of sunrise, a fleet or canoes crowded with natives put off from the sandy beach in front of the king's house, and paddled swiftly over towards the ships, the captains of which only awaited their arrival to weigh and tow out through the passage.
What this Textopian page supports
An Island Memory is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louis Becke, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Louis Becke
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Literary Fiction, Thriller
- Length: 10,363 words
- Structure: 1 section, 141 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Island Memory by Louis Becke
- 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 An Island Memory?
- How does this short story by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- A Question Of Precedence by Louis Becke
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, exploring themes of colonialism, conflict, and cultural interactions.
- Adventure — The plot involves voyages, battles, and the pursuit of treasure, characteristic of adventure narratives.
- Drama — The story contains intense emotional conflicts and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, particularly regarding violence and loyalty.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style emphasizes character development and thematic depth, focusing on the human experience and ethical questions.
Tags
Island Fiction · Adventure · Coming of Age · Colonialism · Cultural Identity · Exile · Family Drama · Friendship · Historical Fiction · Imperialism · Literary Fiction · Maritime Adventure