# Dedication explained — The Three Hostages

> Chapter companion for The Three Hostages by John Buchan.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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