Denison's Second Berth Ashore
The story revolves around a young sailor who becomes embroiled in a plot to steal a valuable cargo of gold and ivory from a ship anchored off the coast of a remote island. The protagonist's involvement is driven by his desire for adventure and wealth, but he soon finds himself caught up in a complex web of deceit and betrayal. As the story unfolds, the sailor must navigate treacherous waters and confront his own moral ambiguities in order to survive. Along the way, he encounters a cast of characters who are equally flawed and driven by their own motivations, including a ruthless pirate captain and a beautiful island woman with secrets of her own. Throughout the narrative, themes of loyalty, honor, and redemption are explored, raising questions about the nature of right and wrong in a world where morality is often relative. The story builds towards a tense and suspenseful climax that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Adventure · 3,459 words
First lines
I have already told how Tom Denison, the South Sea Island supercargo, took a berth ashore as overseer of a Queensland duck farm, which was mortgaged to a bank of which his brother was manager, and how he resigned the post in great despondency, and humped his swag to Cooktown.
What this Textopian page supports
Denison's Second Berth Ashore 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: Literary Fiction, Humor, Adventure, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction
- Length: 3,459 words
- Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Denison's Second Berth Ashore by Louis Becke
- 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 Denison's Second Berth Ashore?
- How does this short story by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- A Ponapean Convenance by Louis Becke
- Tom Wallis by Louis Becke
- Rodman The Boatsteerer by Louis Becke
- Denison Gets Another Ship by Louis Becke
- The Trouble With Jinaban by Louis Becke
- Denison Gets A Berth Ashore by Louis Becke
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex characters and social themes, focusing on personal growth and societal critique.
- Humor — The story employs satire and comedic elements, particularly in the protagonist's misadventures and the absurdity of his circumstances.
- Adventure — The protagonist's journey and experiences in a new environment reflect themes of exploration and personal challenge.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal norms and class distinctions, particularly through the protagonist's interactions with various social strata.
Tags
Adventure · Literary Fiction · Maritime · Historical Fiction · Colonialism · Imperialism · Island Life · Sailing · Shipwreck · Survival · Mutiny · Piracy