The Maid of Sker · Chapter
Fisherman Davy a Fish Out of Water explained
Davy Llewellyn, an aging fisherman from the Glamorganshire coast, introduces himself and his intention to write a book about a curious adventure that has occupied his community for many years.
What happens
Davy Llewellyn, an aging fisherman from the Glamorganshire coast, introduces himself and his intention to write a book about a curious adventure that has occupied his community for many years. He is encouraged by neighbors and a wealthy patron who promises to cover expenses and pay him £50 if he does well. Davy reflects on his past as a sailor in the Royal Navy, his humble education, and his doubts about his own skill as a writer, but he is persuaded by the community's faith in his storytelling ability.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy openly questions his own memory, skill, and honesty, acknowledging that he may contradict himself or meddle with things best left alone, highlighting the theme of narrative reliability.
Maritime Life and Adventure
Davy's identity as a fisherman and former Royal Navy sailor, his references to fishing, sea battles, and the open air, establish the maritime setting and adventurous background.
Social Class and Identity
Davy contrasts his humble origins and lack of education with the wealthy patron and the 'cleverest hand at a bait,' reflecting on class and his place in society.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
The narrator and protagonist, an ancient fisherman from Glamorganshire, who is persuaded by his neighbors and a wealthy patron to write down the story of a curious adventure.
Key passages
“I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.”
I am just an old fisherman on the Glamorganshire coast, busy enough with my own work and troubles to make a meager living.
Davy introduces himself as a simple, hardworking fisherman.
“They assure me, also, that all good people who can read and write for ten, or it may be twenty, miles around the place I live in, will buy my book—if I can make it—at a higher price, perhaps, per lb., than they would give me even for sewin, which are the very best fish I catch.”
They tell me that all the literate people for miles around will buy my book, possibly paying more per pound for it than they would for the best fish I catch.
Davy is encouraged by the prospect of selling his book at a high price.
“God save the King, and Queen, and members of the Royal Family, be they as many as they will—and they seem, in faith, to be manifold.”
God bless the King, Queen, and all the Royal Family, no matter how many there are—and indeed they seem to be many.
Davy expresses loyalty to the monarchy in a somewhat humorous tone.
“I am inditing of a thing very plain and simple, when you come to understand it; yet containing a little strangeness, and some wonder, here and there, and apt to move good people’s grief at the wrongs we do one another.”
I am writing about something that is quite simple once you understand it, but it has some strangeness and wonder, and it may move good people to sorrow over the wrongs we do to each other.
Davy describes the nature of his story as simple yet moving.
“My memory still is pretty good; but if I contradict myself, or seem to sweep beyond my reach, or in any way to meddle with things which I had better have let alone, as a humble man and a Christian, I pray you to lay the main fault thereof on the badness of the times, and the rest upon human nature.”
My memory is still fairly good, but if I contradict myself or go beyond my knowledge, please blame the bad times and human nature, not me.
Davy preemptively excuses any errors in his narrative.