Ridan the Devil by Louis Becke

Name: Ridan the Devil
Author: Louis Becke

The novel revolves around a young man who becomes embroiled in a plot to steal a valuable treasure from the island of Tahiti. He forms an alliance with a group of Polynesian natives and together they devise a plan to outwit their enemies and claim the treasure for themselves. As they navigate the complexities of their scheme, the protagonist finds himself drawn into a world of piracy, deception, and violence. The novel explores themes of colonialism, power dynamics, and the clash between Western and indigenous cultures. Throughout the story, the protagonist's relationships with his native allies are put to the test as they face numerous challenges and obstacles in their pursuit of the treasure. Ultimately, the novel builds towards a dramatic confrontation that will determine the fate of the treasure and the lives of those involved.

By Louis Becke · First published 1888 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction · 4,978 words

First lines

Ridan lived alone in a little hut on the borders of the big German plantation at Mulifenua, away down at the lee end of Upolu Island, and every one of his brown-skinned fellow-workers either hated or feared him, and smiled when Burton, the American overseer, would knock him down for being a 'sulky brute. ' But no one of them cared to let Ridan see him smile. For to them he was a wizard, a devil, who could send death in the night to those he hated. And so when anyone died on the plantation he was blamed, and seemed to like it. Once, when he lay ironed hand and foot in the stifling corrugated iron 'calaboose,' with his blood-shot eyes fixed in sullen rage on Burton's angered face, Tirauro, a Gilbert Island native assistant overseer, struck him on the mouth and called him 'a pig cast up by the ocean. ' This was to please the white man. But it did not, for Burton, cruel as he was, called Tirauro a coward and felled him at once. By ill-luck he fell within reach of Ridan, and in another moment the manacled hands had seized his enemy's throat. For five minutes the three men struggled together, the white overseer beating Ridan over the head with the butt of his heavy Colt's pistol, and then when Burton rose to his feet the two brown men were lying motionless together; but Tirauro was dead.

What this Textopian page supports

Ridan the Devil is listed on Textopian as a short story by Louis Becke, dated 1888 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: 1888 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Drama, Tragedy
Length: 4,978 words
Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Ridan the Devil by Louis Becke
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Ridan the Devil?
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

Genres

Literary Fiction — The work explores deep themes of identity, suffering, and the human condition through rich character development and emotional depth.
Adventure — The protagonist's journey involves physical challenges and escapes, highlighting the adventurous spirit in a harsh environment.
Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against the backdrop of colonialism and labor exploitation, reflecting historical realities of the time.
Drama — The intense interpersonal conflicts and emotional struggles create a dramatic atmosphere throughout the story.