The Paw by Thomas Burke (1912)
In a gritty, unchanging urban landscape, a weak and fearful man named Greaser Flanagan becomes consumed by a desperate love for his wife, Daffodil. His life is marked by a lack of agency and a deep-seated fear of everything around him. Daffodil, however, is capricious and often disappears, leading to Flanagan's growing anxiety and despair. One fateful day, she leaves him for a Chinese man, Phung-tsin, leaving behind a mocking note. This betrayal ignites a violent obsession within Flanagan, who resolves to kill the man who has taken his wife. Flanagan, lacking the courage to confront Phung-tsin directly, devises a plan to manipulate his young daughter, Myrtle, into committing the murder for him. He subjects her to a series of brutal beatings, instilling in her a twisted sense of loyalty and hatred towards the Chinese man. As he tortures her, he sings a chilling refrain about killing Phung-tsin, embedding the idea in her mind. Over the course of several days, Myrtle becomes increasingly desensitized to her father's cruelty, and Flanagan's sadistic tendencies grow. He uses her suffering as a means to further his own dark agenda, all while reminiscing about Daffodil and his lost love. Eventually, Myrtle, under the influence of her father's manipulation, believes she can bring her mother back by killing Phung-tsin. In a climactic moment, Myrtle returns home, claiming she has killed the Chinese man. Flanagan feigns shock and horror, but internally he revels in the success of his plan. However, the police soon arrive, and as they investigate, they discover that the body is not Phung-tsin's but that of Daffodil herself. The narrative culminates in a tragic twist, revealing the depths of Flanagan's madness and the catastrophic consequences of his obsession. The story explores themes of love, betrayal, and the destructive power of vengeance, ultimately leading to a devastating revelation that shatters Flanagan's world.
By Thomas Burke · First published 1912 · Genre: Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Drama · 5,481 words
First lines
It was the maidenly month of April, though it was not to be known in Pennyfields except by the calendar: a season of song and quickening blood. Beyond London, amid the spray of meadow and orchard, bird and bee were making carnival, but here one still gambled and waited to find a boat. Limehouse has no seasons. It has not even the divisions of day and night. Boats must sail at all hours at the will of the tide, and their swarthy crews are ever about. It has no means of marking the pomp of the year's procession. Lusty spring may rustle in the hedgerows; golden-tasselled summer may move on the meadows. In Limehouse there are only more seamen or less seamen. Summer is a spell of stickiness, and winter a time of fog. There may perhaps be those who long to escape from it when the calendar calls spring, to kiss their faces to the grass, to lose their tired souls in tangles of green shade; but they are hardly to be met with. For the most, Limehouse is sufficient. These rather futile green fields and songs of birds and bud-spangled trees are all very well, if you have the limited mind, but how much sweeter are the things of the hands, the darling friendliness of the streets!
What this Textopian page supports
The Paw is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Burke, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Burke
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Psychological Thriller, Crime Fiction, Drama, Gothic Fiction, Social Commentary
- Length: 5,481 words
- Structure: 1 section, 62 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Paw by Thomas Burke
- 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 The Paw?
- How does this short story by Thomas Burke fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Psychological Thriller first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Psychological Thriller — The intense focus on the protagonist's mental state and the exploration of themes such as obsession, revenge, and moral ambiguity align closely with the psychological thriller genre.
- Crime Fiction — The plot revolves around a murder and the criminal actions of the protagonist, making it a strong fit for crime fiction.
- Drama — The emotional depth and character-driven narrative highlight personal struggles and relationships, characteristic of dramatic literature.
- Gothic Fiction — The dark themes, atmosphere of despair, and elements of violence contribute to a gothic sensibility.
Tags
mystery · crime · suspense · thriller · detective · noir · urban · London · psychological · dark · gritty · short stories