Leasse by Louis Becke (1887)
The narrative unfolds in a small, idyllic village characterized by its unique architecture and lush surroundings. The protagonist, Denison, a young ex-supercargo, reflects on his past experiences in this tranquil setting after leaving a tumultuous life at sea. He recalls the warmth of the villagers, particularly the headman Kusis and his family, who welcomed him with open arms. Denison's days are filled with simple pleasures: fishing in the lagoon, hunting wild pigs in the mountains, and enjoying the camaraderie of the villagers. The rhythm of life is dictated by nature, with fishing trips determined by the surf's sound and hunting expeditions marked by the camaraderie of the men and the quiet support of the women. The narrative captures the essence of a close-knit community, where daily tasks are performed with a sense of purpose and tradition. The women weave and prepare meals, while the men engage in hunting and fishing, embodying a harmonious balance between labor and leisure. Denison's fond memories highlight a longing for the carefree days of youth, contrasting sharply with his current life, which he views as burdensome and filled with societal expectations. As the story progresses, the reader witnesses the interplay between the villagers' simple lifestyle and Denison's nostalgia for a time when he felt truly alive. The village, with its natural beauty and communal spirit, serves as a backdrop for Denison's internal conflict between the allure of adventure and the weight of adult responsibilities. The narrative ultimately reflects on themes of memory, identity, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 1,817 words
First lines
There were only a score or so of houses in Leasse village -- curious saddle-backed structures, with steeply pitched roofs of gray and yellow thatch, rising to a sharp point fore and aft; and in all the twenty not more than one hundred natives -- men, women, and children -- dwelt. At the back of the village the dense mountain forest began, and all day long one might hear the booming notes of the gray wood-pigeons and the shrill cries of the green and golden parrakeets as they fed upon the rich purple berries of the _masa'oi_ and the inflorescence of the coco-palms. In front, and between two jutting headlands of coral rock, with sides a-green with climbing masses of _tupa_ vine, lay a curving beach of creamy sand; westward the sea, pale green a mile from the shore, and deeply blue beyond the clamouring reef, whose misty spume for ever rose and fell the livelong day, and showed ghostly white at night.
What this Textopian page supports
Leasse 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, Historical Fiction, Cultural Fiction, Romance
- Length: 1,817 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Leasse 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 Leasse?
- 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?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book explores deep themes of nostalgia, identity, and the contrast between civilization and nature, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Adventure — The protagonist's experiences in the village and interactions with the local culture and environment reflect an adventurous spirit.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and cultural elements provide a historical context that enriches the narrative.
- Cultural Fiction — The depiction of the village life and customs highlights the cultural aspects of the Strong's Islanders.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic Novel · Sea Story · Pirate Fiction · Historical Fiction · 19th Century Literature · Male Protagonist · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Friendship