Seek and Find by Oliver Optic (1868)
The narrative follows a young boy named Ernest Thornton, who embarks on a journey filled with adventure, danger, and the quest for his mother. The story begins with Ernest and his friend Bob Hale sailing on a lake when they witness a girl, Kate Loraine, jump into the water in distress. They rescue her, and she reveals that she is fleeing from her stepmother, Mrs. Loraine, who treats her poorly. This encounter sets off a chain of events that leads Ernest to become deeply involved in Kate's plight. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Ernest has a complicated family background. His father is deceased, and his mother is in an insane asylum, a fact that his uncle, Amos Thornton, has kept from him. Ernest learns that he is entitled to a significant inheritance, but his uncle and cousin Tom Thornton are determined to keep him from accessing it. The tension escalates when Ernest discovers that his uncle has been dishonest about his family's past and his mother's condition. Ernest's determination to find his mother drives him to take action. He steals money and important documents from his uncle's safe, believing it is his rightful inheritance. This act of defiance leads to a confrontation with Tom, who attempts to intimidate and control him. The conflict culminates in a physical altercation, where Ernest strikes Tom with a wrench, leaving him injured. As Ernest and Kate navigate the dangers posed by Tom, they make plans to escape to New York, where Ernest hopes to find his mother. They encounter various challenges, including Tom's relentless pursuit. However, with the help of kind strangers, they manage to evade capture and continue their journey. Throughout the story, themes of justice, family loyalty, and the struggle for freedom are explored. Ernest's character evolves as he grapples with the moral implications of his actions and the consequences of his family's secrets. The narrative ultimately leads to a sense of hope, as Ernest remains determined to reunite with his mother and uncover the truth about his family's past. The story concludes with Ernest and Kate boarding a steamer bound for England, setting the stage for their next adventure in search of answers and reconciliation.
By Oliver Optic · First published 1868 · Genre: Adventure, Children's Literature, Mystery · 26 chapters · 65,284 words
First lines
"WE are getting a capital breeze over here," said my friend Bob Hale, who was seated at my side in the Splash.
"There is always plenty of wind over here when it comes from the north-west," I replied.
What this Textopian page supports
Seek and Find is listed on Textopian as a novel by Oliver Optic, dated 1868 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Oliver Optic
- Date: 1868 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Adventure, Children's Literature, Mystery, Fiction, Educational
- Length: 65,284 words
- Structure: 26 chapters, 1,564 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Seek and Find by Oliver Optic
- 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 Seek and Find?
- How does this novel by Oliver Optic fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Down South by Oliver Optic
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- Tracks In The Snow by Godfrey R. Benson
Genres
- Adventure — The plot revolves around exploration and discovery, central to the adventure genre.
- Children's Literature — The book is aimed at a younger audience, featuring themes and language suitable for children.
- Mystery — The title suggests elements of searching and uncovering secrets, typical of mystery narratives.
- Fiction — The book is a work of fiction, presenting imaginative scenarios and characters.
Tags
Adventure · Coming-of-age · Family · Friendship · Growing up · Humor · Mystery · Nautical · Pioneering spirit · Self-discovery · Sailing · Travel
Contents
- In which Ernest Thornton Becomes Acquainted with Miss Kate Loraine
- In which Ernest Listens to the Story of Miss Kate Loraine
- In which Ernest Calls Upon Mrs. Loraine
- In which Ernest Releases the Captive Maiden from her Prison
- In which Ernest is Awakened by a Loud Knocking
- In which Ernest Gets an Idea
- In which Ernest has an Interview with Mr. Tom Thornton
- In which Ernest Visits his Uncle's Library
- In which Ernest, after a Successful Retreat, Falls into a Trap
- In which Ernest Strikes a Heavy Blow for Liberty
- In which Ernest Makes Good his Retreat from the Cottage
- In which Ernest Obtains some Valuable Letters
- In which Ernest Leaves Parkville, and Takes the Train for the Eastward
- In which Ernest Wonders what Tom Thornton will do, and Finds out
- In which Ernest Faces the Enemy
- In which Ernest Makes a Landing on the Hudson
- In which Ernest Outflanks Tom Thornton
- In which Ernest Calls on Several Loraines
- In which Ernest Starts for Madison Place with Kate
- In which Ernest Strikes a Heavy Blow, and Tom Thornton has a Bad Fall
- In which Ernest Visits Madison Place
- In which Ernest Makes the Acquaintance of E. Dunkswell
- In which Ernest Finds that E. Dunkswell is a Disagreeable Room-Mate
- In which Ernest Lands at Crookhaven, and Proceeds to London
- In which Ernest Visits Stony Stratford, and E. Dunkswell Comes to Grief
- In which Ernest Returns to Parkville with his Mother, and the Story Ends on the Shores of Lake Adieno