Topics for Further Study
Jim, a sailor aboard a passenger ship, is well-dressed and carries a significant amount of cash. Conduct some research to learn about the nature of passenger ships before the era of air travel. Is Jim's wealth plausible? What role might he have held on the ship?
Jim's final words in the story, "Daddy-O, drop dead," are open to interpretation, particularly since he "flashed a grin" when he said them. What do you think was going through Jim's mind at that moment, and what emotions was he experiencing?
Consider the three women who either appear in or are referenced in the story. What character archetypes do they represent? What similarities do they share, and in what ways do they differ?
Why might Wright have chosen Copenhagen as the story's setting? How does the location contribute to the story's atmosphere and overall impact? Do you believe another setting might have been more effective?
Wright suggests more about Jim and Lena's relationship than he explicitly states. What can you deduce about their relationship, and what hints lead you to these conclusions? What do you predict will happen between them in the future?
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