Mulholland's Contract
The narrative follows a man working on a cattle boat who faces a life-threatening situation during a storm. As chaos ensues, he makes a desperate pact with God, promising to spread His word if he survives. After being rescued and recovering from injuries sustained during the ordeal, he receives a divine directive to return to the cattle boats and preach to his fellow workers about morality and faith. Reluctantly, he accepts this mission, aware of the dangers and the rough nature of his peers. He emphasizes the need for them to abandon vices such as drinking, gambling, and violence. Despite the challenges, he remains steadfast in his faith and commitment to his preaching duties, often facing physical confrontations but responding with resilience and a focus on grace. He organizes Sunday services when conditions allow, relying on his belief in God to protect him. His role as a preacher on the lower deck earns him respect, even as others question his sanity. He manages to maintain order among the cattle and save money, demonstrating his capability and the effectiveness of his faith-driven approach. The story explores themes of survival, faith, redemption, and the struggle between worldly vices and spiritual duty.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1926 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Narrative · 724 words
First lines
The fear was on the cattle, for the gale was on the sea, An' the pens broke up on the lower deck an' let the creatures free -- An' the lights went out on the lower deck, an' no one near but me.
I had been singin' to them to keep 'em quiet there, For the lower deck is the dangerousest, requirin' constant care, An' give to me as the strongest man, though used to drink and swear.
What this Textopian page supports
Mulholland's Contract is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Narrative, Adventure, Social Commentary
- Length: 724 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mulholland's Contract by Rudyard Kipling
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Mulholland's Contract?
- How does this poem by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Religious — The themes revolve around faith, divine contracts, and the speaker's relationship with God.
- Narrative — The poem tells a story of personal experience and transformation, typical of narrative forms.
- Adventure — The setting involves perilous situations at sea and the challenges faced by the protagonist.
Tags
mystery · adventure · suspense · drama · betrayal · crime · intrigue · secrets · human nature · morality · conflict · narrative