COMMENT. A capital example of a short-story built on two lines of
interest neatly joined. One line arises from the desire of Old Tom to
reach Liverpool; it illustrates a passive struggle between wishing and
waiting on the one hand, and fate or chance on the other. The second
line arises from the situation of Spike’s being in prison, a situation
motivated or brought about by the physical struggle between Spike and
the bo’sun, and is marked by Spike’s attempt to escape. The two lines
are connected by the fact that Tom has a queer animosity for Spike, and
that he is made the guardian of Spike. Old Tom’s relation to his wife
offers a parallel to the relation between Spike and the mission girl.
Old Tom is unsuccessful, ironically so; Spike escapes.
Is the motivation for Tom’s surrendering the keys of Spike’s prison
strong enough? What is it?