Maurice Kinane by Louis Becke (1887)
The novel revolves around the life of Maurice Kinane, a young Irishman who becomes embroiled in a series of adventures and misadventures while working on a ship in the Pacific Islands. Kinane's experiences are shaped by his interactions with various characters, including a group of islanders who teach him about their culture and way of life. He also becomes involved in a romantic relationship with a local woman, which adds to the complexity of his story. Throughout the novel, Kinane faces numerous challenges and setbacks, but he ultimately emerges as a resilient and resourceful individual who is able to adapt to new situations and navigate unfamiliar environments. The novel explores themes of identity, culture, and belonging, raising questions about what it means to be part of a community and how individuals can find their place in the world.
By Louis Becke · First published 1887 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age · 6,799 words
First lines
Eastward, from the coast of New Guinea, there lies a large island called, on the maps, New Britain, the native name of which is Berara. It is nearly three hundred miles in length and, in parts, almost sixty in width, and excepting the north-eastern portion, now settled by German colonists, is inhabited by a race of dangerous and treacherous cannibals, who are continually at war among themselves, for there are many hundred tribes living on the coast as well as in the interior. Although there have been white people living on the north-east coast for over thirty years -- for there were adventurous American and English traders living in this wild island long before the natives ever saw a German -- not one of them knew then, or knows now, much of the strange black tribes who dwell in the interior of the centre and western part of the island, save that they were then, as they are in this present year, always at enmity with the coast tribes, and are, like them, more or less addicted to cannibalism.
What this Textopian page supports
Maurice Kinane 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: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Action, Drama
- Length: 6,799 words
- Structure: 1 section, 82 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Maurice Kinane 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 Maurice Kinane?
- How does this short story by Louis Becke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the thrilling experiences of a young boy in a dangerous and exotic setting, involving conflict with native tribes and survival.
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, reflecting the colonial era and interactions between Europeans and indigenous peoples.
- Coming-of-Age — The protagonist undergoes significant personal growth and transformation, facing challenges that shape his identity and maturity.
- Action — The story includes numerous action sequences, including battles and escapes, which drive the plot forward.
Tags
Adventure · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Classic Novel · 19th Century Literature · Australian Literature · Male Protagonist · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Morality Tale