Summary The business of corrupting Schomberg is accomplished by a guest who arrives one morning from the Celebes. He has, however, been journeying from far places and appears to be a wanderer, even as Heyst. Schomberg, sitting in the stern sheets of his steam launch, sees this visitor first as […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 4Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 3
Summary The narrator, in this chapter, traces Heyst’s history through his impressionable years with his father, his young manhood, and his years of wandering over the Far East. Imbued by his father with a “profound distrust of life,” Heyst learns to reflect, to reckon the cost. Out of this reflection […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 2
Summary The narrator supposes that Heyst does not reflect on his course of action. There is no evidence that he thinks of pausing at any time between this particular evening and the morning of their flight. Heyst’s inexperience gives him the audacity to plunge in and rescue the girl. Now […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 2Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 1
Summary Part 2 begins with Heyst’s arrival at Schomberg’s Hotel in Sourabaya while Zangiacomo’s Ladies’ Orchestra is established there as regular entertainment. Heyst, while still fascinated by the islands, is disenchanted with life in general. The failure of the T.B.C. Company affects him in a subtle way, “like a gnawing […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 2: Chapter 1Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 7
Summary Captain Davidson relates his experience in returning the shawl to Mrs. Schomberg. He finds it almost impossible to believe that this inane and apparently senseless woman is in reality a “miracle of dissimulation.” His insight into her true character almost frightens him. Balked in his efforts to understand Mrs. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 7Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 6
Summary Three months pass and Captain Davidson reports again. In answer to Heyst’s signals from Samburan wharf, he puts in to speak with him and finds him unchanged. Nothing betrays the presence of the girl. Heyst’s little speech to Davidson shows that he is still strong in his belief that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 6Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 5
Summary Davidson returns to Sourabaya two days late and goes to Schomberg’s hotel to find Heyst. Schomberg tells him in sulky tones that Heyst is not there. Davidson, puzzled by Schomberg’s manner, decides to wait around for a while. He falls into conversation with Mrs. Schomberg, a lifeless, wooden woman […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 5Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 4
Summary Certain persons go to Captain Davidson of the Sissie to learn more of his contact with Heyst. He tells them that Heyst looks exactly as always, with a book in his hand, very neat. Heyst has explained to Davidson that he always had a taste for solitude. Davidson, himself […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 4Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 3
Summary Many persons believe Schomberg’s gossip. Others regard it as funny to call Heyst “The Spider” behind his back. Heyst knows nothing of any of his nicknames. Soon everyone has more important matters to discuss. Morrison makes Heyst manager on the spot of the newly organized Tropical Belt Coal Company […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 3Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 2
Summary One day, Heyst turns up in Timor and meets, on the streets of Delli, a Dorsetshire Englishman, Captain Morrison of the trading brig Capricorn. Morrison is in grave trouble. The Portuguese port authorities have inflicted a fine on him and arrested his brig. If he fails to raise the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Part 1: Chapter 2