Project Gutenberg
2004-04-01
Public domain in the USA.
116
Jacobs, W. W. (William Wymark)
1863
1943
Jacobs, William Wymark
Owen, Will
1869
1957
A Spirit of Avarice
Odd Craft, Part 11.
Produced by David Widger
"A Spirit of Avarice" by W. W. Jacobs is a humorous short story set in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around Mr. John Blows, a man dismissed from his job, whose misadventures lead to a series of misunderstandings. The story captures the themes of mistaken identity, the consequences of one’s actions, and the pursuit of wealth, all delivered through Jacobs' characteristic wit and satire. The tale unfolds as Mr. Blows, after being paid off, decides to escape his mundane life and eventually finds himself mistakenly reported dead after an incident where he rescues a child from drowning. Upon his return home months later, he discovers that a grand funeral was held in his honor, which spurred a monetary fund collected for his family. Holding onto a desire to reclaim this money for himself, Mr. Blows navigates the humorous chaos that ensues as he tries to assert his presence among those who believed him to be a hero. The story culminates in a comedic interplay between his attempts to claim the funds and the misunderstandings surrounding his supposed demise, illustrating Jacobs' clever commentary on human nature and societal values. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 81.6 (6th grade). Easy to read.
en
Humorous stories, English
England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction
Sailors -- Fiction
PR
Text
Category: Short Stories
Category: Humour
Category: British Literature
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