The Persecution of Bob Pretty
Bob Pretty is a young man living in a small English village in the late 19th century. He is a hardworking and honest man, but he is also a bit of a dreamer. He dreams of a better life, of a life of adventure and excitement. Unfortunately, Bob's dreams are not shared by the other villagers. They are suspicious of him and his ambitions, and they begin to persecute him. They spread rumors about him, and they even go so far as to threaten him with violence. Bob is determined to stand up for himself, and he begins to fight back against his persecutors. He finds allies in unexpected places, and he begins to gain the respect of the villagers. But the persecution continues, and Bob must find a way to survive and to prove his innocence. The Persecution of Bob Pretty is a story of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. It is a story of a man who refuses to be broken by the cruelty of his persecutors, and who ultimately finds a way to triumph over them.
By W. W. Jacobs · First published 1843 · Genre: Fiction, Humor, Satire · 4,381 words
First lines
The old man sat on his accustomed bench outside the Cauliflower. A generous measure of beer stood in a blue and white jug by his elbow, and little wisps of smoke curled slowly upward from the bowl of his churchwarden pipe. The knapsacks of two young men lay where they were flung on the table, and the owners, taking a noon-tide rest, turned a polite, if bored, ear to the reminiscences of grateful old age.
What this Textopian page supports
The Persecution of Bob Pretty is listed on Textopian as a novel by W. W. Jacobs, dated 1843 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: W. W. Jacobs
- Date: 1843 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Humor, Satire, Short Story
- Length: 4,381 words
- Structure: 1 section, 141 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Persecution of Bob Pretty by W. W. Jacobs
- 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 The Persecution of Bob Pretty?
- How does this novel by W. W. Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Dirty Work by W. W. Jacobs
- Paying Off by W. W. Jacobs
- Shareholders by W. W. Jacobs
- The Third String by W. W. Jacobs
- Prize Money by W. W. Jacobs
- Sams Ghost by W. W. Jacobs
Genres
- Fiction — The Persecution of Bob Pretty is a work of fiction, as it is a story created by the author, W. W. Jacobs.
- Humor — The Persecution of Bob Pretty is a humorous story, as it contains lighthearted elements and comedic writing style.
- Satire — The Persecution of Bob Pretty is a satirical story, as it uses humor to criticize and mock societal norms and conventions.
- Short Story — The Persecution of Bob Pretty is a short story, as it is a brief narrative with a single plot and a limited number of characters.
Tags
England · English · Fiction · Humorous stories · Sailors · Social life and customs · afore · agin · arter · bob · brought · careful