The Poor Traveller by Charles Dickens (illustrated ver)

Summary

In Charles Dickens' 'The Poor Traveler,' Richard, later known as 'Double Dick,' seeks enlistment and a desire to be shot after heartbreak. His life changes when Captain Taunton inspires him to become a brave soldier. After Taunton's death, Double Dick avenges his friend, rises in rank, and reunites with his lost love, Mary Marshall. The story concludes with Double Dick's forgiveness of a French officer, reflecting the theme of redemption and the power of forgiveness.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ The story is set in the late 18th century and revolves around a character named Richard, who later adopts the name 'Double Dick'.
• 💔 Richard, initially poor and heartbroken after being rejected by his betrothed, Mary Marshall, enlists in the army seeking a purpose and even a death.
• 🔄 Richard's life changes when he meets Captain Taunton, who inspires him to become a better person and soldier.
• 🏰 Richard's transformation is marked by his progression from a reckless private to a respected sergeant and later to an ensign in the army.
• 🗡️ The narrative includes a pivotal battle where Richard's friend, Captain Taunton, is fatally wounded by a French officer.
• 📜 Richard is entrusted with a final request from Taunton to write to his mother, which signifies a deep bond between the two.
• 🏥 After a long recovery, Richard returns to active duty and is eventually promoted to the rank of Captain.
• 💌 The story of Mary Marshall is reintroduced, revealing her enduring love for Richard and her new identity after hearing of his bravery.
• 🤝 Richard's final act of forgiveness towards the French officer who killed his friend shows his growth and understanding of the complexities of war.
• 🏡 Mrs. Taunton's journey to Southern France and her connection with a local family, including the French officer's daughter, adds a layer of reconciliation and healing.
• 🌄 The story concludes with a sense of closure and forgiveness, emphasizing the themes of personal growth, redemption, and the power of human connection.

Q & A

What was the year when the traveler arrived in Chadam?

The traveler arrived in Chadam in the year 1799.

Why did the traveler want to enlist in the Cavalry?

The traveler wanted to enlist in the Cavalry because he was poor and without a penny in his pocket.

What was the traveler's original name, and why did he change it to 'Dick'?

The traveler's original name was Richard. He dropped his surname on the road down and took up 'Dick' as his new surname because 'Dick' is an abbreviation for Richard.

Why was the traveler also known as 'Double Dick'?

He was called 'Double Dick' because after being betrothed to Mary Marshall, she broke up with him, making him 'double broke'.

What was the name of the captain who influenced Richard Double Dick's life?

The name of the captain was Captain Taunton.

How did Captain Taunton's regiment come to be in India?

Captain Taunton's regiment was in India because England formed an alliance with Austria against Napoleon Bonaparte.

What significant event occurred in 1805 that changed Richard Double Dick's life?

In 1805, Richard Double Dick single-handedly cut his way through a solid mass of men, rescued his wounded Captain, and was promoted to Sergeant Major.

What happened to Captain Taunton during the confrontation with the French army at BOS?

Captain Taunton was shot three times in the chest by the French army and died, asking Richard Double Dick to write to his mother about their friendship.

How did Richard Double Dick's life change after the death of Captain Taunton?

After Captain Taunton's death, Richard Double Dick became more determined, seeking revenge on the French officer responsible and preserving a packet of hair to give to Taunton's mother.

What was the name of the woman Richard Double Dick was originally betrothed to, and what was her role later in the story?

Richard Double Dick was originally betrothed to Mary Marshall. She later reconnected with him after learning about his bravery and their shared past, eventually marrying him.

How did Richard Double Dick's relationship with Mrs. Taunton evolve over time?

Richard Double Dick's relationship with Mrs. Taunton evolved from a soldier paying respects to a fallen comrade's mother to a son-replacing relationship, with mutual care and affection.

What was the significance of the French officer's presence at the Chateau in the story's conclusion?

The French officer's presence at the Chateau signified Richard Double Dick's opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation, as he forgave the officer for his past actions in the name of duty.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Transformation and Bravery: The Tale of Richard 'Double Dick'

The first paragraph introduces us to Richard, a poor traveler who, after a failed romance, enlists in the military under the alias 'Double Dick'. His initial recklessness and drunkenness in the barracks are contrasted with his transformation after an encounter with Captain Taunton, who inspires him to change his ways. Richard's bravery in battle, especially his rescue of the wounded Captain Taunton, leads to his promotion. The paragraph concludes with the tragic death of Captain Taunton and Richard's promise to his friend, setting the stage for Richard's future actions and motivations.

05:01

💕 Reunion and Redemption: Love and Forgiveness in Post-War Life

In the second paragraph, we follow Richard's journey from a decorated soldier to a man seeking closure and forgiveness. After the war, he fulfills his promise to Captain Taunton by visiting Taunton's mother and recounting their friendship. This encounter leads to a reconnection with his former love, Mary Marshall, who has been inspired by Richard's heroic deeds. The story culminates in a surprising encounter with the French officer responsible for Taunton's death, where Richard chooses forgiveness over revenge, embodying the spirit of divine forgiveness. The narrative concludes with a call to action for the audience, presumably to engage with the storyteller's website for more content.

Keywords

💡Traveler

A traveler is someone who is on a journey, often for a purpose other than migration. In the script, the term 'poor traveler' refers to the main character who arrives in Chadam with no money, seeking to enlist in the military. This sets the stage for his transformation and the ensuing narrative.

💡Enlist

To enlist means to voluntarily join the armed forces. The character in the script initially goes to Chadam to enlist in the Cavalry, which is a branch of the military that operates on horseback. His attempt to enlist is a pivotal moment that leads to his life-changing experiences.

💡Cavalry

The cavalry refers to a military unit that fights on horseback. In the video, the character's initial goal is to join the cavalry, but he ends up enlisting in the Regiment of the line instead, which is a key turning point in his life.

💡Regiment of the line

A regiment of the line is a military unit that is part of the standing army, as opposed to the cavalry or special forces. The character's enlistment in this regiment is significant as it leads to his eventual transformation and growth as a person.

💡Betrothed

Betrothed refers to being engaged to be married. The script mentions that Richard was betrothed to Mary Marshall, but she broke up with him, which contributes to his initial state of despair and desire to be shot.

💡Double Dick

This is a nickname given to the character Richard, derived from his first name and the fact that he dropped his surname. The nickname 'Double Dick' is used throughout the script to refer to the character and is tied to his identity and the story's development.

💡Captain Taunton

Captain Taunton is a character in the script who plays a significant role as a mentor and friend to Richard 'Double Dick'. His influence helps transform Richard from a reckless soldier to a more responsible and valiant one.

💡Flogged

To be flogged is to be punished by whipping. In the script, it is mentioned that Richard was known for his reckless behavior, leading to the implication that he was likely to be flogged, which reflects his initial state of disarray.

💡Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military and political leader. In the script, his stirring against England and the subsequent conflict serve as the historical backdrop for the story, influencing the characters' actions and fates.

💡Proclamation of Peace

The term 'Proclamation of Peace' in the script refers to a period of ceasefire or cessation of hostilities. The script mentions the Indian army being recalled due to such a proclamation, which impacts the trajectory of Richard's military career.

💡Sergeant Major

A sergeant major is a non-commissioned officer of high rank in the military. Richard's promotion to Sergeant Major is a testament to his bravery and transformation, as he single-handedly cuts through enemy lines and rescues his wounded Captain.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning someone for a wrong they have done. In the script, Richard's decision to forgive the French officer who killed his friend is a significant moment that represents his personal growth and the theme of reconciliation.

Highlights

In 1799, a relative of the author arrives in Chadam penniless, seeking to enlist in the Cavalry.

Unable to join the Cavalry, he enlists in the Regiment of the line, desiring to be shot.

Richard, the traveler, drops his surname and adopts 'Dick', leading to the nickname 'Double Dick'.

Double Dick was previously betrothed to Mary Marshall, who broke off the engagement.

In the barracks, Double Dick is known for being drunk and reckless.

Captain Taunton, a young officer with bright eyes, inspires Double Dick to change his ways.

Double Dick's transformation begins when he kneels before Captain Taunton, kissing his hand.

In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte stirs against England, leading to an alliance with Austria.

Corporal Richard Double Dick serves in India with Captain Taunton's regiment.

Double Dick is promoted to Sergeant for his bravery, known for cutting through enemy lines.

At the Battle of BOS, Captain Taunton is fatally wounded by a French officer.

Taunton's last words to Double Dick include a request to write to his mother.

Double Dick buries Taunton and vows to avenge his friend's death.

After the war, Double Dick, now Lieutenant, returns to England to meet Taunton's mother.

Taunton's mother and Double Dick form a bond, as if they regained a son and mother.

Double Dick is severely wounded but survives, waking in a hospital to find Taunton's mother.

Mary Marshall, Double Dick's former fiancée, reappears, revealing she never stopped loving him.

Double Dick and Mary are reunited and plan to marry, symbolizing a new beginning.

Double Dick is discharged as Captain and continues his recovery in Southern France.

In France, Double Dick encounters the French officer who killed Taunton, leading to a moment of forgiveness.

The story concludes with Double Dick making peace with his past and looking forward to a future with Mary.

Transcripts

the poor traveler by Charles Dickens in

the year 1799 a relative of mine came

limping down to the town called chadam

he was a poor traveler without a penny

in his pocket he went there to get

enlisted in the Cavalry but there was no

Cavalry in chadam so he enlisted in the

Regiment of the line he wanted to join

the regiment not because of the money

but because he wanted to get shot

Richard was his name he dropped his

surname on the road down and took up

dick as his new surname but since dick

is an abbreviation for Richard people

called him dble dick he had been

betrothed to a beautiful lady called

Mary Marshall but she broke up with him

thus double dick was actually double

broke and that gave him the

determination to get shot in the chattam

barracks Richard double dick was always

drunk and Reckless it was clear to

everyone in the barracks that Richard

double dick would be flogged Captain

tunon was a young gentleman not five

years his senior he had bright handsome

dark eyes which Richard double dick felt

ashamed when looking at them one day

Richard double dick was called upon to

Captain taunton's orders double dick do

you know where you're going to to the

devil sir I feel pain to hear that I'm a

common Soldier ready to be shot at any

moment wouldn't your mother be happy if

your Praises were sounded from mouth to

mouth through the whole regiment through

the whole country I thankful to say that

she's dead sir she would never have

heard any good of me oh spare me sir my

friend God bless you sir somehow the

dark bright eyes of the captain made

private Richard double dick dropped down

upon his knee kissed the officer's hand

and left as an altered man in year 1799

Napoleon bonapart began to stir against

England in India in the very next year

England formed an alliance with Austria

against him Captain taunton's regiment

was in India and with him was Corporal

Richard doubledick in year 1801 the

Indian army were on the coast of Egypt

next year was the Proclamation of short

peace and they were recalled well known

to thousands of men for his bravery he

was promoted to Sergeant Richard

doubledick in year 1805 people were

amazed at how the sergeant major cut his

way single-handedly through a solid mass

of men and even rescued his wounded

Captain he then became enen Richard

double dick but one fateful day at BOS

when our men were working in the

trenches Captain Taunton and Richard

double dick were confronted with a

formidable French army led by a handsome

officer of 5 and 30 when this officer

waved his sword the French fired in

obedience and Captain tunon fell he

received three shots to the chest dear

double dick I'm dying for the love of

Heaven no

the bright black eyes so very dark now

smiled upon him write to my mother tell

her how we became friends it it will

comfort her as she comforts me he spoke

no more enen Richard double dick buried

his friend on the field and became aone

bereaved man beyond his duty he had two

remaining cares in life one to preserve

the little packet of hair he was to give

to taunton's Mother the other was fined

at French officer for Revenge the war

went on it was his turn to leave the

regiment is Lieutenant Richard

doubledick in year 1814 Napoleon

bonapart was exiled 35 years of age

Lieutenant Richard doubl Dick was back

in England he had yet to meet that

French officer that took away his friend

although he was weak and suffered pain

he lost not an hour in getting down to

where Ton's mother lived he told her how

he and her son became friends he saved

me from wood made me a human creature

War me from infamy and shame oh God

forever bless him as he will he will he

will I know he is in heaven but oh my

darling boy my darling boy it gradually

seemed to him as if he had recovered a

mother and she a son this was indeed the

first time he had ever turned his face

toward the old colors with a woman's

blessing the famous regiment was early

in the battle even if the lieutenant was

seen to fall it swept on to avenge him

Lieutenant Richard double dick was so

disfigured by Blood and mud as to be

hardly recognizable for Humanity his

body was sent to the Hospital in

Brussels and there it lay week after

week through the long bright summer days

until the Harvest spared by the war was

ripened and gathered in slowly laboring

through a long heavy dream of confused

time and space Lieutenant double dick

came back to life the Autumn evening

Sunset through the window was so

tranquil and so lovely that he thought

he had passed into another world

taon are you near me a face bent over

him not his his mother's I came to nurse

you we have nursed you many weeks where

is the regiment what has happened May I

call your mother what has happened

mother a great Victory dear the war is

over and the regiment was the bravest in

the field a few days later another woman

came to his room can you be to see a

stranger would you like to see a

stranger stranger a stranger now but not

a stranger once Dear Richard Richard

double finally recognized who she was

Mary Marshall I have another name do you

want to hear it don't tell me you are

married I'm not breaking a rash vow

Richard do you want to hear my other

name never she began telling him her

story she confessed that she still loved

him wholeheartedly even after she left

him she never knew he was such a brave

Soldier and beloved by thousands and

thousands the mother of his dear friend

found her and showed her in all his

triumphs he had never forgotten her he

was wounded in a great battle and he was

brought dying here in Brussels she came

to watch and tend him when he lay at the

point of death he wished to marry her

before he died and that was the origin

of her new name Richard and Mary kissed

it was a long recovery but they were

happy through it

all he was discharged as Captain Richard

doubledick but even then it became

necessary for the captain instead of

returning to Britain to complete his

recovery in the climate of Southern

France Mrs Taunton went to the

neighborhood of X she grew into intimacy

with a family belonging to that part of

France the intimacy began in her often

meeting a pretty child a girl who was

never tired of listening to the solitary

English lady's stories of her poor son

in the cruel Wars at length she came to

know the family so well that she

accepted their invitation to pass her

last month of residence under their roof

Captain double dick now a hearty

handsome man in full Vigor of Life came

to visit Mrs Taunton and X he reached a

large Chateau of a genuine old ghostly

kind he walked in as the entrance Door

stood

open after a while in the gallery his

face turned white as he saw the French

officer the one who killed his friend

Miss Captain Richard double dick un

Shante to receive you my apologies my

servants were all out in the air it was

my daughter's birthday I'm sure you

heard that she was cherished by Adam

Taunton he has not remembered me as I've

remembered him how should I tell him you

were at whato I was and at

B Spirit of my departed friend is it you

who has shown me the blessing of an

altered Time by making me search for

this French officer is it you who have

sent your mother to me to stay my Angry

hand is it you who reminded me that he

was just doing his duty just like you

and I did ours and so he made a second

resolution in life when he touched the

French officer's glass with his own at

dinner he secretly forgave him in the

name of the Divine forgiver of

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