# Dedication explained — Allan Quatermain

> Chapter companion for Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

The author dedicates the book to his son, Arthur John Rider Haggard, expressing the hope that the adventures of Allan Quatermain and his companions will inspire him and other boys to aspire to the ideal of the English Gentleman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Colonialism and the Ideal of the English Gentleman

The dedication explicitly frames the book's purpose as guiding boys toward the 'state and dignity of English Gentlemen,' a central theme of the narrative.

## Character check-ins

### Allan Quatermain

Mentioned as a central figure whose acts and thoughts are recorded in the book.

### Sir Henry Curtis

Quoted as holding the ideal of the English Gentleman as the highest rank to attain.

## Key lines

> I inscribe this book of adventure to my son Arthur John Rider Haggard In the hope that in days to come he, and many other boys whom I shall never know, may, in the acts and thoughts of Allan Quatermain and his companions, as herein recorded, find something to help him and them to reach to what, with Sir Henry Curtis, I hold to be the highest rank whereto we can attain⁠— the state and dignity of English Gentlemen

The author dedicates this adventure story to his son, hoping that future readers, including his son and other boys, will learn from the deeds and ideas of Allan Quatermain and his friends how to achieve the highest ideal: becoming an English Gentleman.

_This opening dedication establishes the moral and aspirational tone of the book._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters/dedication
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/allan_quatermain_se/chapters