The Ordeal of Harry Demane, by Granville Sharp

❰

1 2

❱

WE then agreed that Mr Savage should go to serve the writ, and should take with him Stewart, or Mr Green, whichever was most readily found; and Mr Irwin informed me by letter, on Sunday morning, 30th July, that he saw Savage and Green set off last night.

Monday noon, July 31. — Mr Savage and Green arrived in town, bringing with them Henry Demane. They informed me, that when they reached the ship, the anchor was getting up, the sails set, and the captain himself at the helm; so that a single minute more of delay would have lost the opportunity of recovery. Henry confessed that he had intended to have jumped into the sea as soon as it was dark —, choosing rather to die than to be carried into slavery. I sent him with proper officers to find out his master.

by Granville Sharp 1734-1813

From ‘Memoirs of Granville Sharp’ (1820), by Prince Hoare (1755-1834).

Précis

On Sunday morning, Sharp learnt that his friends had gone to serve the Writ on the slave-ship’s captain the previous night. At noon on Monday, Sharp was relieved to see them return together with Henry, whom they had rescued with barely a minute to spare before the ship set sail for the colonies.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Mr Savage and Mr Green left to find Harry’s ship. Mr Irwin wrote and told Sharp on Saturday night. Sharp read the letter on Sunday morning.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IFollowing. IILearn. IIIPrevious.

Précis

Questions for Critics

Jigsaws

Tags

Read Next