The Arrest of Lieutenant Golightly
The narrative follows a lieutenant who prides himself on his appearance and status as an officer. He embarks on a journey from Dalhousie, cutting his leave short, and is determined to maintain his polished image. However, a sudden monsoon transforms his pristine khaki uniform into a muddy mess, leading to a series of unfortunate events. As he arrives in Pathankote, he discovers that his servants are absent, leaving him with little money. Attempting to purchase a first-class ticket to his station, he is mistaken for a deserter named Private John Binkle. The station staff, suspicious of his disheveled appearance, call for constables, who apprehend him despite his protests. The lieutenant is handcuffed and taken to Umritsar, where he continues to assert his identity, but his claims are dismissed. Upon arrival, he is met with further humiliation as he is treated like a common criminal. His attempts to explain the misunderstanding are met with scorn from the corporal and soldiers escorting him. Despite his indignation, he finds himself in a position of vulnerability, leading to a breakdown of composure. In a chaotic scene at the refreshment room, he tries to escape but is physically restrained, resulting in further embarrassment. A major, witnessing the commotion, recognizes him and is amused by his plight. The lieutenant's reputation suffers as the story of his arrest spreads throughout the regiment and beyond, highlighting the disparity between his self-image and the reality of his situation. Ultimately, the lieutenant's experience serves as a commentary on the rigid expectations of military decorum and the consequences of vanity, as well as the absurdity of the circumstances that can lead to a fall from grace. The tale concludes with the lieutenant's futile attempts to seek justice against those who wronged him, illustrating the enduring nature of reputation and the challenges of maintaining dignity in the face of public ridicule.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1926 · Genre: Military Fiction, Humor, Adventure · 2,695 words
First lines
"I've forgotten the countersign,' sez 'e. 'Oh! You 'aye, 'ave you? ' sez I. 'But I'm the Colonel,' sez 'e. 'Oh! You are, are you? ' sez I. 'Colonel nor no Colonel, you waits 'ere till I'm relieved, an' the Sarjint reports on your ugly old mug. Coop! ' sez I. An' s'help me soul, 'twas the Colonel after all! But I was a recruity then. " The Unedited Autobiography of Private Ortheris.
What this Textopian page supports
The Arrest of Lieutenant Golightly is listed on Textopian as a short story 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: Short story
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Military Fiction, Humor, Adventure, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 2,695 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Arrest of Lieutenant Golightly by Rudyard Kipling
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Military Fiction — The plot revolves around a military officer's misadventures, highlighting themes of honor, duty, and the absurdities of military life.
- Humor — The narrative employs comedic elements through Golightly's misfortunes and the absurdity of his situation, showcasing Kipling's wit.
- Adventure — The story follows Golightly's journey and challenges, embodying the spirit of adventure in a colonial setting.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques social hierarchies and perceptions within the military and colonial society.
Tags
military · adventure · colonialism · humor · satire · British Empire · officer · conflict · narrative · character study · irony · war