The Three Hostages · Chapter
Dedication explained
The author dedicates the book to a young gentleman of Eton College, responding to his complaint about a previous dry historical work.
What happens
The author dedicates the book to a young gentleman of Eton College, responding to his complaint about a previous dry historical work. He promises a tale of Richard Hannay's recent adventure, a pure contest of wits, as told by Hannay himself.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Friendship
The author's personal connection to Hannay and the dedication to a young reader highlight bonds of respect and friendship.
Characters to notice
- Richard Hannay
Mentioned as a country neighbour who recently told the author the tale of an unpleasant business involving a pure contest of wits.
Key passages
“To a Young Gentleman of Eton College Honoured Sir, On your last birthday a well-meaning godfather presented you with a volume of mine, since you had been heard on occasion to express approval of my works.”
The book is dedicated to a young Eton student whose godfather gave him one of the author's previous books.
Sets up the personal context of the dedication.
“The book dealt with a somewhat arid branch of historical research, and it did not please you. You wrote to me, I remember, complaining that I had 'let you down,' and summoning me, as I valued your respect, to 'pull myself together.'”
The young reader disliked the dry historical book and demanded a more exciting story.
Explains the reason for writing this adventure tale.
“In particular you demanded to hear more of the doings of Richard Hannay, a gentleman for whom you professed a liking.”
The reader specifically wanted another story about Richard Hannay.
Directly links the dedication to the main character.
“Sir Richard took a modest pride in the affair, because from first to last it had been a pure contest of wits, without recourse to those more obvious methods of strife with which he is familiar.”
Hannay was proud that the adventure was a battle of intellect rather than physical violence.
Foreshadows the nature of the story.