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Short Fiction · Chapter

The Handbook of Hymen explained

Sanderson Pratt and Idaho, two miners, spend a winter snowed in, each studying a book: Pratt's 'Herkimer's Handbook of Indispensable Information' and Idaho's poetry by Homer K.

What happens

Sanderson Pratt and Idaho, two miners, spend a winter snowed in, each studying a book: Pratt's 'Herkimer's Handbook of Indispensable Information' and Idaho's poetry by Homer K. M. After striking pay ore, they settle in Rosa, where both court the wealthy widow Mrs. De Ormond Sampson. Pratt uses his statistical knowledge to impress her, while Idaho's poetic advances offend her. When Mrs. Sampson's house catches fire, Pratt consults his handbook for rescue instructions.

Themes in this chapter

  • Humor and Irony

    The rivalry between Pratt's statistical handbook and Idaho's poetry book is comedic, as is Pratt's use of facts to woo Mrs. Sampson and his reliance on the handbook during the fire.

  • Love and Romance

    Both Pratt and Idaho court Mrs. Sampson, with Pratt's factual approach contrasting Idaho's poetic advances, leading to a romantic competition.

  • Ambition and Failure

    Pratt's ambition to win Mrs. Sampson through statistics and Idaho's poetic courtship both face obstacles, with the fire testing their efforts.

Characters to notice

Key passages

  • “I never was as glad to see a ten-ounce nugget as I was that book.”

    Pratt was overjoyed to get his handbook, comparing it to finding a valuable gold nugget.

    Highlights the value Pratt places on factual knowledge.

  • “What you've got is statistics, the lowest grade of information that exists. They'll poison your mind.”

    Idaho dismisses Pratt's book as mere statistics, claiming it will corrupt his thinking.

    Illustrates the philosophical clash between poetry and facts.

  • “I think statistics are just as lovely as they can be.”

    Mrs. Sampson expresses her appreciation for Pratt's factual conversation.

    Shows her preference for Pratt's approach over Idaho's poetry.

  • “Herky, old boy, you ain't ever lied to me yet, and you ain't ever throwed me down at a scratch yet. Tell me what, old boy, tell me what!”

    Pratt appeals to his handbook for guidance during the fire, trusting it completely.

    Demonstrates his reliance on the handbook in a crisis.

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