Themes
Here are a few of the main themes that are mentioned in the novel Three Men in a Boat.
Unachievable Desires
In the novel, the author tries to explain about the human nature of wanting something he/she does not have. He tells us about this through a story about his friend and a person. His friend was fascinated by the magnificent carved oak staircase in the person's apartment. He saw the apartment and really liked it. Then, he realized that the person had covered up the oak staircase with wall paper because according to him the oak staircase was "awful gloomy". However, according to J's friend it was magnificent. A quote from the novel Three Men in a Boat -"Each person has what he doesn't want, and other people have what he does want (pg. 43).
Social Hierarchy
Another important theme of the novel is the social hierarchy of the Victorian era. The author has pointed out the way the poor were treated in this period. "I motioned him away with silent dignity, but he still advanced, screeching out the while: 'I'm a-coming, sur, I'm a-coming. I'm a little lame. I ain't as spry as I used to be. This way, sur.' 'Go away, you miserable old man,' I said. 'I've come as soon as I could, sur,' he replied. 'My missis never see you till just this minute. You follow me, sur.''Go away,' I repeated; 'leave me before I get over the wall and slay you.' He seemed surprised." (pg. 55) In this quote J- who is a wealthy man- talks very harshly with an old and poor man. Maybe such behaviour was normal for that period. However, this has a huge effect on me. In the 21st century, people's thinking has changed a lot. People- no matter where in the social hierarchy- are not treated that harshly. Also, I think that Jerome is trying to point out the injustice in his novel. I think this because of the way he writes it.
Unachievable Desires
In the novel, the author tries to explain about the human nature of wanting something he/she does not have. He tells us about this through a story about his friend and a person. His friend was fascinated by the magnificent carved oak staircase in the person's apartment. He saw the apartment and really liked it. Then, he realized that the person had covered up the oak staircase with wall paper because according to him the oak staircase was "awful gloomy". However, according to J's friend it was magnificent. A quote from the novel Three Men in a Boat -"Each person has what he doesn't want, and other people have what he does want (pg. 43).
Social Hierarchy
Another important theme of the novel is the social hierarchy of the Victorian era. The author has pointed out the way the poor were treated in this period. "I motioned him away with silent dignity, but he still advanced, screeching out the while: 'I'm a-coming, sur, I'm a-coming. I'm a little lame. I ain't as spry as I used to be. This way, sur.' 'Go away, you miserable old man,' I said. 'I've come as soon as I could, sur,' he replied. 'My missis never see you till just this minute. You follow me, sur.''Go away,' I repeated; 'leave me before I get over the wall and slay you.' He seemed surprised." (pg. 55) In this quote J- who is a wealthy man- talks very harshly with an old and poor man. Maybe such behaviour was normal for that period. However, this has a huge effect on me. In the 21st century, people's thinking has changed a lot. People- no matter where in the social hierarchy- are not treated that harshly. Also, I think that Jerome is trying to point out the injustice in his novel. I think this because of the way he writes it.
Setting
The Setting is the time, place and situation in which the novel takes place.
'This novel is set in England at the end of the 19th century. The novel is mainly set near the River Thames. Three friends from London, England decide to go on an extravagant trip. Their trip starts from Kingston to Oxford. The River Thames is the second largest river in the UK and flows through southern England. J, Harris and George take their boat up to River Thames and their extravagant trip starts from there. How does the setting affect the narrative? A number of British stereotypes are included in the novel. For example, Harris' love for tea. Also, the vocabulary in the novel is mostly from British culture. Words like "fancy" are used often. If I had to describe this novel in two words, I would simply say British humour. |
Plot
We are introduced to the main characters of the novel- George, Harris and J. The first thing that we get to know about the three is that they are all suffering from sicknesses. Harris and George have liver problems and J suffers from all 107 maladies in the book- except housemaid's knee. J tells us an anecdote about how he realized his medical problems. When he goes to the doctor, the doctor sharply puts J on a diet of 1 pound beefstick and 1 pint bitter beer every six hours. And asks J to not think about things that he does not understand. Once he starts to think that he has serious problems, he realizes that his life is short and that he should live it to the fullest.
When discussing their maladies with each other, J, George and Harris decide to take an exit from their usual, boring lives and decide to go to a completely different place and have change in their lifestyles and scene. They discuss about the best place to go for change and arrive at the conclusion that going on a trip up the River Thames would be best for them. They then discuss all the details of the vacation. After a lot of discussion, they decide to start their journey from Kingston to Oxford next Saturday.
On the day they started their voyage, J, George and Harris did everything wrong- from waking up late to having to bribe a train driver to take them to Kingston. They were also not able to boil some water for tea and put the canvas up. They injured themselves badly while doing such simple chores and got worked up even during a vacation that is supposed to be fun and work- free.
The three friends decide to call the trip short. They realize that their usual life was better than the one they lead when on this trip. And also they were not able to cope with the wet weather. They catch the correct train back to London and go back to their usual boring lives.
When discussing their maladies with each other, J, George and Harris decide to take an exit from their usual, boring lives and decide to go to a completely different place and have change in their lifestyles and scene. They discuss about the best place to go for change and arrive at the conclusion that going on a trip up the River Thames would be best for them. They then discuss all the details of the vacation. After a lot of discussion, they decide to start their journey from Kingston to Oxford next Saturday.
On the day they started their voyage, J, George and Harris did everything wrong- from waking up late to having to bribe a train driver to take them to Kingston. They were also not able to boil some water for tea and put the canvas up. They injured themselves badly while doing such simple chores and got worked up even during a vacation that is supposed to be fun and work- free.
The three friends decide to call the trip short. They realize that their usual life was better than the one they lead when on this trip. And also they were not able to cope with the wet weather. They catch the correct train back to London and go back to their usual boring lives.