The Wandering Jew by Rudyard Kipling
A man named John Hay, after receiving a substantial inheritance, becomes obsessed with the idea of extending his life. Haunted by the ghost of his deceased relative, who constantly reminds him of the brevity of life, Hay discovers a scientific fact: traveling eastward around the world grants an extra day. This revelation ignites his desire to live longer, leading him to embark on a series of journeys. With newfound wealth, he invests in travel, meticulously counting the time he gains with each trip. He becomes known as the man who seeks to live fully, dividing his days between the thrill of travel and the pursuit of time. As he continues his expeditions, he learns to maximize his time by utilizing newly developed railway routes, allowing him to travel faster and gain more days. Eventually, he confides in a housekeeper about his secret to longevity, which prompts her to seek legal advice regarding his inheritance. This leads to a chase, as Hay's relentless pursuit of time takes him across the globe. He eventually encounters a doctor in Madras, who offers him a unique solution: to hang from a roof in a way that allows him to gain a day for every day he lives. In this new arrangement, Hay becomes the "Immortal," living in a bungalow by the sea, facing the rising sun. He spends his days counting time and reflecting on his existence, detached from the world around him. Despite his immortality, he grapples with doubts about the truth of his situation and the nature of time itself, questioning why the sun does not always remain overhead. The narrative explores themes of mortality, the human desire for longevity, and the paradox of seeking to escape the inevitable passage of time. Hay's journey becomes a metaphor for the struggle against death and the quest for meaning in a fleeting existence. Ultimately, he finds himself in a state of perpetual motion, racing against eternity while confronting the shadows of his mind.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1911 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Philosophical Fiction · 1,541 words
First lines
[Footnote: Copyright, 1891, by Macmillan & Co.]
'If you go once round the world in an easterly direction, you gain one day,' said the men of science to John Hay. In after years John Hay went east, west, north, and south, transacted business, made love, and begat a family, as have done many men, and the scientific information above recorded lay neglected in the deeps of his mind with a thousand other matters of equal importance.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wandering Jew is listed on Textopian as a short story by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Satire
- Length: 1,541 words
- Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- St Luke The Evangelistic Beasts by D. H. Lawrence
- The Transfiguration by Charles Kingsley
- The Seven Sleepers Of Ephesus by Sabine Baring Gould
- The Bowl And Rim by Robert Graves
- Brother Jucundus by Sabine Baring Gould
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative explores themes of immortality and time manipulation, characteristic of fantasy literature.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a global journey, embodying the adventure genre through travel and exploration.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story delves into existential themes, particularly the nature of life and death, reflecting philosophical inquiries.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is introspective and character-driven, typical of literary fiction.
Tags
mythology · immortality · adventure · religion · history · fable · cultural · identity · exile · redemption · spirituality · journey