The Maid of Sker · Chapter
A Long Goodbye explained
Davy prepares to leave Newton aboard the ketch 'Rose of Devon' under the enigmatic Captain Fuzzy (Bethel Jose), making his will and saying farewell to the village.
What happens
Davy prepares to leave Newton aboard the ketch 'Rose of Devon' under the enigmatic Captain Fuzzy (Bethel Jose), making his will and saying farewell to the village. He reflects on his fall from naval captain to merchant mate, the community's affection for him, and his resolve to return.
Themes in this chapter
Maritime Life and Adventure
Davy's departure on the ketch 'Rose of Devon' and his reflections on naval versus merchant service highlight the maritime setting and his seafaring identity.
Social Class and Identity
Davy's concern about his 'degradation' from naval captain to merchant mate and the villagers' mixed perceptions of his 'rise in life' explore class and status.
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy acknowledges that some call his stories 'lies', yet the community values his narratives, underscoring the theme of narrative reliability.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Narrator preparing to ship out with Captain Fuzzy, making his will and bidding farewell to Newton.
- Bardie
Davy leaves his boat entirely to Bardie in his will.
- Bunny
Davy's wife, who is dressed up by the villagers with ribbon, shoes, and lace for the farewell.
- Captain Fuzzy
Captain of the 'Rose of Devon', also known as Bethel Jose, a stone captain Davy ships with.
- Sandy Macraw
Mentioned as the extortionate fisherman left behind to create a monopoly.
- Felix Farley
Davy received seven-and-tenpence from Felix Farley for saving drowned black people.
Key passages
“I tried to make him laugh with some of the many jokes and stories, which everybody knows of mine, and likes them for long acquaintance’ sake. However, not one of them moved him so much as to fetch one squirt of tobacco-juice.”
Davy attempted to amuse Fuzzy with his well-known jokes, but Fuzzy remained utterly unresponsive, not even spitting tobacco.
Illustrates Fuzzy's inscrutable nature and Davy's frustration.
“There I made my will, and left my property to establish credit, for a new start among them.”
Davy wrote his will, bequeathing his belongings to secure a fresh beginning for his family.
Shows Davy's practical and sentimental preparation for possible death at sea.
“As for Bunny, glorification is the shortest word I know.”
The best way to describe how Bunny was treated is 'glorification'.
Highlights the villagers' lavish attention on Bunny during the farewell.