Free English ebook
To-morrow
"To-morrow" by Joseph Conrad is a novella that was likely written in the early 20th century. This literary work explores themes of hope, delusion, and the human condition through the story of Captain Hagberd, an aging and eccentric man who believes relentlessly that his long-lost son will return home "to-morrow." The narrative unfolds in a small seaside town where Hagberd's obsession with waiting for his son reveals deeper insights into human relationships and the nature of reality versus illusion. The plot centers on Captain Hagberd, who has set up a life in Colebrook after searching extensively for his son, Harry, who disappeared years ago. His delusion manifests in his daily life where he prepares for his son's return with earnest zeal, sharing his dreams with the local girl Bessie Carvil, who finds herself drawn to his oddly hopeful nature despite sensing its madness. As the story progresses, we see Bessie struggle with her own longings for a life beyond her mundane existence and her oppressive father, while Harry actually returns in a rather undramatic and unlikeable fashion, shattering Hagberd's dreams. The story intertwines both the characters' dreams and the harsh realities they face, ultimately presenting a poignant commentary on the illusion of hope and the crushing weight of disappointment.
Level C1 pagesEnglish
No reads counted yet
Categories: British Literature Novels
Suggested age: 14+ (AI estimate)
EPUB · Layout not assessedPDF · Fixed page layoutIllustrations: not assessed
Saved on this browser only.
About this book
"To-morrow" by Joseph Conrad is a novella that was likely written in the early 20th century. This literary work explores themes of hope, delusion, and the human condition through the story of Captain Hagberd, an aging and eccentric man who believes relentlessly that his long-lost son will return home "to-morrow." The narrative unfolds in a small seaside town where Hagberd's obsession with waiting for his son reveals deeper insights into human relationships and the nature of reality versus illusion. The plot centers on Captain Hagberd, who has set up a life in Colebrook after searching extensively for his son, Harry, who disappeared years ago. His delusion manifests in his daily life where he prepares for his son's return with earnest zeal, sharing his dreams with the local girl Bessie Carvil, who finds herself drawn to his oddly hopeful nature despite sensing its madness. As the story progresses, we see Bessie struggle with her own longings for a life beyond her mundane existence and her oppressive father, while Harry actually returns in a rather undramatic and unlikeable fashion, shattering Hagberd's dreams. The story intertwines both the characters' dreams and the harsh realities they face, ultimately presenting a poignant commentary on the illusion of hope and the crushing weight of disappointment.
Reading guidance
Level C1Language difficulty is an AI estimate based on sampled text.
Reader and content guidance is an AI estimate based on the title, author, source summary, contents and selected excerpts. Unseen portions have not been assessed.
Recommended age: 14+ (AI estimate)
AI estimate: themes of delusion, domestic oppression and manipulative romance need conceptual maturity; a 14-year-old could enjoy it with support, while independent appreciation of irony and disappointment suits older readers. Based on named-book metadata and selected excerpts; unseen text was not assessed. This is guidance, not an official age rating; individual reading ability varies.
Source: Project Gutenberg · Public domain in the USA.
Report a file or book information problemReport a copyright concern about this book
