Enderby's Courtship by Louis Becke
The novel revolves around the protagonist Enderby, a young man who becomes infatuated with a woman named Mrs. Widgeon. He embarks on a courtship, but his efforts are hindered by his own awkwardness and the societal norms of the time. The story explores themes of love, social class, and personal growth as Enderby navigates his relationships and grapples with his own identity.
By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 3,236 words
First lines
The two ghastly creatures sat facing each other in their wordless misery as the wind died away and the tattered remnants of the sail hung motionless after a last faint flutter. The Thing that sat aft -- for surely so grotesquely horrible a vision could not be a Man -- pointed with hands like the talons of a bird of prey to the purple outline of the island in the west, and his black, blood-baked lips moved, opened, and essayed to speak. The other being that, with bare and skinny arms clasped around its bony knees, sat crouched in the bottom of the boat, leaned forward to listen.
What this Textopian page supports
Enderby's Courtship 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, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Survival Fiction
- Length: 3,236 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Enderby's Courtship 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 Enderby's Courtship?
- 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
- The Match Maker by Hector Hugh Munro
- The White Feather by P. G. Wodehouse
- An Arrow At A Venture by H. C. Mcneile
- A Charmed Life by Richard Harding Davis
- The Man Who Went Too Far by E. F. Benson
- Millies Wedding by Herbert Jenkins
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex human emotions, relationships, and moral dilemmas, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Adventure — The plot involves survival in a harsh environment, featuring elements of exploration and physical challenges.
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional conflicts and character development, typical of dramatic storytelling.
- Romance — The interactions between characters include romantic tension and themes of love and sacrifice.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Romance · Comedy · Literary Fiction · 19th Century Literature · English Literature · Novel · Courtship · Marriage · Love Story · Humor