"Three Men In A Boat" Analysis
Introduction: It took some time for me to find a book to read since I already had read all books on my reading device. I recalled that my father had advised me to read three men in a boat numerous times. Since I didn’t have a book, and had already missed two lessons, I finally opted to read it. I will be trying to catch up with the rest of the class by writing about all the events leading up to where I am now (chapters 1-5). Thereafter, I will continue reading chapters 6-12 and write a log for that. I will then read the rest of the chapters (12-17) and write a final summary. Chapters 1-5: The book starts with the narrator Jerome Klapka having a smoke with his two closest friends George and Harris. The three men are all suffering from hypochondria and have illusions that they have several diseases, they spend some time conversing about their “illnesses” which they supposedly have, and it sounds as they’re trying to flaunt them, just as though they were some kind of battle scar.
Jerome goes to the doctor believing that he is suffering from all known diseases known to mankind at the time. The doctor tells him to stop meddling with things he doesn’t understand and writes a prescription. Jerome puts the note in his pocket without reading it and heads straight to the pharmacy. He hands the paper to the clerk and gets a very unanticipated answer, “We’re not a convenience store” he replies and hands the paper back. Perplexed, Jerome looks down at his prescription, “1lb beef steak, two bottles of beer, and daily exercise” it says. Ashamed and frustrated, Jerome then proceeds to leave the building. Chapters 6-12The three men are now preparing to embark on their journey, there is however some dispute about where they should go, Jerome and George are inclined toward camping outside by the thames river, Harris is somewhat against the idea and tries to explain to his partners that they will have an overall unpleasant experience and that they should instead stay in the boat and go somewhere further away from the city. Harris, after a lot of dispute, finally manages to get what he wants. There are still a handful of problems that have to be resolved before the guys eventually can board the ship. They’re now having an interchange of ideas to make their trip go as smooth as possible. Jerome begins by pointing out that they should bring a methylated spirit stove rather than a paraffin oil stove since it leaked oil all over the ship on their last trip.
They also decided to only bring meals that are easy to prepare, but no cheese. Jerome had a flashback of one time where an acquaintance named Tom asked him to bring some cheese with him when he was traveling by tram, everyone in the vehicle had left at the next stop as a result of the overwhelming smell which the cheese emited. Now that they have the whole trip planned they merely have to pack their bags before they can ultimately set sail. Jerome, being the arrogant man he is, offers to pack for everyone. However, as soon as he starts Harris and George start to slowly realise that Jerome is just being presumptuous as usual, but they decide to let him continue as to not shatter his delusion of grandeur. Despite Jerome constantly failing to successfully pack their paraphernalia, forgetting several items, leaving loose items taking up much-needed space
