Author: Jerome K. Jerome Language: English

1. Three Men in a Boat (To Say NothingThree Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing
of the Dog), Noteof the Dog), Note published in 1889, is apublished in 1889, is a
humorous account by English writerhumorous account by English writer
Jerome K. JeromeJerome K. Jerome of a boating holiday on theof a boating holiday on the
ThamesThames betweenbetween KingstonKingston andand OxfordOxford..

2. The book was initially intended to be a serious travel guide,The book was initially intended to be a serious travel guide,[1][1] with accounts ofwith accounts of
local history along the route, but the humorous elements took over to thelocal history along the route, but the humorous elements took over to the
point where the serious and somewhat sentimental passages seem apoint where the serious and somewhat sentimental passages seem a
distraction to thedistraction to the comic novelcomic novel. One of the most praised things about. One of the most praised things about ThreeThree
Men in a BoatMen in a Boat is how undated it appears to modern readers – the jokesis how undated it appears to modern readers – the jokes
seem fresh and witty even today.seem fresh and witty even today.[2][2]
The three men are based on Jerome himself (the narrator J.) and two real-lifeThe three men are based on Jerome himself (the narrator J.) and two real-life
friends, George Wingrave (who would become a senior manager infriends, George Wingrave (who would become a senior manager in
Barclays BankBarclays Bank) and Carl Hentschel (the founder of a London printing) and Carl Hentschel (the founder of a London printing
business, called Harris in the book), with whom he often took boating trips.business, called Harris in the book), with whom he often took boating trips.
The dog, Montmorency, is entirely fictionalThe dog, Montmorency, is entirely fictional[1][1] but, "as Jerome admits,but, "as Jerome admits,
developed out of that area of inner consciousness which, in all Englishmen,developed out of that area of inner consciousness which, in all Englishmen,
contains an element of the dog."contains an element of the dog."[2][2] The trip is a typical boating holiday ofThe trip is a typical boating holiday of
the time in a Thames camping skiff.[Note 2] This was just after commercialthe time in a Thames camping skiff.[Note 2] This was just after commercial
boat traffic on the Upper Thames had died out, replaced by the 1880s crazeboat traffic on the Upper Thames had died out, replaced by the 1880s craze
for boating as a leisure activity.for boating as a leisure activity.
Because of the overwhelming success ofBecause of the overwhelming success of Three Men in a BoatThree Men in a Boat, Jerome later, Jerome later
published a sequel, about a cycling tour in Germany, titledpublished a sequel, about a cycling tour in Germany, titled Three Men onThree Men on
the Bummelthe Bummel..
A similar book was published seven years before Jerome's work, entitledA similar book was published seven years before Jerome's work, entitled ThreeThree
in Norway (by two of them)in Norway (by two of them) by J. A. Lees and W. J. Clutterbuck. It tells ofby J. A. Lees and W. J. Clutterbuck. It tells of
three men on an expedition into the wild Jotunheimen in Norway.three men on an expedition into the wild Jotunheimen in Norway.

3. Country/City lifeCountry/City life
Jerome’s portrayal of the relationship between urban life and theJerome’s portrayal of the relationship between urban life and the
natural world is complex, and at times contradictory. Early in thenatural world is complex, and at times contradictory. Early in the
book, the men decide to take a river trip because they believe thatbook, the men decide to take a river trip because they believe that
nature’s calmness and beauty will give them an escape from thenature’s calmness and beauty will give them an escape from the
stress of living in London. To some extent, this is true – the men dostress of living in London. To some extent, this is true – the men do
seem to forget their hypochondria when they are on the river, andseem to forget their hypochondria when they are on the river, and
they enjoy many calm moments. However, they also discover thatthey enjoy many calm moments. However, they also discover that
the countryside is not as peaceful as it seems. The men have greatthe countryside is not as peaceful as it seems. The men have great
difficulty performing basic chores such as cooking and navigatingdifficulty performing basic chores such as cooking and navigating
the boat, and they quickly cease the trip when it begins to rain onthe boat, and they quickly cease the trip when it begins to rain on
their way back to London. Ultimately, they come to accept thattheir way back to London. Ultimately, they come to accept that
country life can be every bit as demanding as life in the city.country life can be every bit as demanding as life in the city.

4. HypocrisyHypocrisy
Much of the humor inMuch of the humor in Three Men in a BoatThree Men in a Boat is derived from theis derived from the
characters’ hypocritical behavior – especially that of J., the narrator.characters’ hypocritical behavior – especially that of J., the narrator.
J. frequently digresses from the narrative to write long, scathingJ. frequently digresses from the narrative to write long, scathing
takedowns of people and behaviors that annoy him. While the rantstakedowns of people and behaviors that annoy him. While the rants
themselves are often quite witty, Jerome adds another layer ofthemselves are often quite witty, Jerome adds another layer of
humor by having J. himself be guilty of the behaviors he criticizes.humor by having J. himself be guilty of the behaviors he criticizes.
One of the novel’s many examples of this comes when he growsOne of the novel’s many examples of this comes when he grows
angry at George and Harris for being lazy, while he himself avoidsangry at George and Harris for being lazy, while he himself avoids
chores as often as possible. By making his narrator unreliable in thischores as often as possible. By making his narrator unreliable in this
way, Jerome ensures that the negative, critical aspects of the storyway, Jerome ensures that the negative, critical aspects of the story
remain enjoyable and lighthearted. And yet the point remains apt,remain enjoyable and lighthearted. And yet the point remains apt,
especially since characters almost everywhere in the book show aespecially since characters almost everywhere in the book show a
tendency to speak a certain way while acting in an opposite manner.tendency to speak a certain way while acting in an opposite manner.

5. Impossible desiresImpossible desires
According to Jerome, impossible desires are a part of human nature.According to Jerome, impossible desires are a part of human nature.
Although this worldview sounds somewhat bleak, he conveys itAlthough this worldview sounds somewhat bleak, he conveys it
through comedy about his characters wanting what they cannotthrough comedy about his characters wanting what they cannot
have, and then losing interest on occasions when they do get whathave, and then losing interest on occasions when they do get what
they wish for. The most important example of this is how the threethey wish for. The most important example of this is how the three
men’s attitude toward rowing changes over the course of the novel.men’s attitude toward rowing changes over the course of the novel.
At the beginning, they see the boat trip as a welcome escape fromAt the beginning, they see the boat trip as a welcome escape from
their stressful routines. However, by the end of the novel, they aretheir stressful routines. However, by the end of the novel, they are
so tired of living in the boat that they end the trip early to stay at anso tired of living in the boat that they end the trip early to stay at an
inn. Jerome suggests that although we all must cope withinn. Jerome suggests that although we all must cope with
impossible desires, the best way to live a satisfying life is to pursueimpossible desires, the best way to live a satisfying life is to pursue
variety but ultimately return to the lifestyle that suits who we actuallyvariety but ultimately return to the lifestyle that suits who we actually
are.are.

6. PretensionPretension
Much of Jerome’s satire targets pretension, especially the pretensionsMuch of Jerome’s satire targets pretension, especially the pretensions
of the middle and upper classes. His treatment of pretension isof the middle and upper classes. His treatment of pretension is
similar to his treatment of hypocrisy, and the two themes aresimilar to his treatment of hypocrisy, and the two themes are
themselves closely related. Pretension has more to do with howthemselves closely related. Pretension has more to do with how
people present themselves to the world. One of the most scathingpeople present themselves to the world. One of the most scathing
sequences in the novel comes when Jerome skewers thesequences in the novel comes when Jerome skewers the
pretensions of J. and his friends, who discuss philosophy andpretensions of J. and his friends, who discuss philosophy and
pretend to speak German in an effort to be ‘high-class.’ In thispretend to speak German in an effort to be ‘high-class.’ In this
passage, Jerome is not mocking the activities, but rather the factpassage, Jerome is not mocking the activities, but rather the fact
that they are pursuing them not out of genuine interest, but rather inthat they are pursuing them not out of genuine interest, but rather in
hopes of bolstering their reputations among their friends. Overall,hopes of bolstering their reputations among their friends. Overall,
Jerome presents a world of people who develop illusions aboutJerome presents a world of people who develop illusions about
themselves that are easily punctured if they are closely examined.themselves that are easily punctured if they are closely examined.

7. Social classSocial class
Jerome's examination of social class is both nuanced and interesting for itsJerome's examination of social class is both nuanced and interesting for its
time. Throughout his life, Jerome did not fit easily into one social class. Histime. Throughout his life, Jerome did not fit easily into one social class. His
father was a skilled worker and a lay preacher, and before Jerome’s birth,father was a skilled worker and a lay preacher, and before Jerome’s birth,
his family was solidly middle-class. However, they were plunged intohis family was solidly middle-class. However, they were plunged into
poverty when he was two years old, and he had to take several menial jobspoverty when he was two years old, and he had to take several menial jobs
as a young man. Nevertheless, he remained immersed in arts and letters,as a young man. Nevertheless, he remained immersed in arts and letters,
and managed to support himself through his creative work. (Afterand managed to support himself through his creative work. (After ThreeThree
Men in a BoatMen in a Boat became successful, he was set for life – and thusbecame successful, he was set for life – and thus
experienced life in England from many different socioeconomicexperienced life in England from many different socioeconomic
perspectives.)perspectives.) Three Men in a BoatThree Men in a Boat is unique in that it features charactersis unique in that it features characters
from all walks of life, generally portraying them positively. The titular menfrom all walks of life, generally portraying them positively. The titular men
are white-collar, middle-class workers, but they encounter many membersare white-collar, middle-class workers, but they encounter many members
of the lower classes on their trip, and even witness some of the privationsof the lower classes on their trip, and even witness some of the privations
caused by extreme poverty. While Jerome does not overtly criticize thecaused by extreme poverty. While Jerome does not overtly criticize the
English class system, he does portray characters from different socialEnglish class system, he does portray characters from different social
classes with skill and sensitivity.classes with skill and sensitivity.

8. MoralityMorality
InIn Three Men in a BoatThree Men in a Boat, Jerome presents a nuanced, humanistic view, Jerome presents a nuanced, humanistic view
of morality. The episodes in the novel show that everyone is guilty ofof morality. The episodes in the novel show that everyone is guilty of
sin to a greater or lesser extent, and he even makes this pointsin to a greater or lesser extent, and he even makes this point
explicitly when the men find the corpse of a woman who committedexplicitly when the men find the corpse of a woman who committed
suicide. Because of this universal tendency, Jerome argues thatsuicide. Because of this universal tendency, Jerome argues that
people should refrain from judging each other for their moral lapses.people should refrain from judging each other for their moral lapses.
We are all guilty of seeing ourselves differently from how we actuallyWe are all guilty of seeing ourselves differently from how we actually
are, and hence should be careful to assume we have authority toare, and hence should be careful to assume we have authority to
judge others. Indeed, J.’s judgments of the people around him arejudge others. Indeed, J.’s judgments of the people around him are
often written to reflect poorly on him for judging, even though theyoften written to reflect poorly on him for judging, even though they
also provide much of the novel’s humor.also provide much of the novel’s humor.

9. HappinessHappiness
Three Men in a BoatThree Men in a Boat can be understood as an exploration of what itcan be understood as an exploration of what it
takes for humans to be truly happy. For the novel’s characters – andtakes for humans to be truly happy. For the novel’s characters – and
for many real laborers in Victorian England – a holiday presents afor many real laborers in Victorian England – a holiday presents a
very special occasion that is anticipated all year. As he chroniclesvery special occasion that is anticipated all year. As he chronicles
the men’s trip up the Thames, Jerome parses what it means to havethe men’s trip up the Thames, Jerome parses what it means to have
a satisfying holiday – and by extension, to be happy. The mena satisfying holiday – and by extension, to be happy. The men
bicker constantly and are incompetent at performing even basicbicker constantly and are incompetent at performing even basic
tasks, which makes the trip just as stressful – if not more so – thantasks, which makes the trip just as stressful – if not more so – than
their lives in London do. However, through his humorous andtheir lives in London do. However, through his humorous and
serious digressions, Jerome conveys that happiness is not aboutserious digressions, Jerome conveys that happiness is not about
doing particular activities or being with certain people, but ratherdoing particular activities or being with certain people, but rather
about appreciating one’s current situation and surroundings. Oneabout appreciating one’s current situation and surroundings. One
should explore variety but then return to who one actually is.should explore variety but then return to who one actually is.

10. CharactersCharacters
J.J.
The narrator of the novel, most likely based onThe narrator of the novel, most likely based on
Jerome himself. J. has a dog namedJerome himself. J. has a dog named
Montmorency, and two friends, George andMontmorency, and two friends, George and
Harris. He sees himself as intelligent, hard-Harris. He sees himself as intelligent, hard-
working, and competent, but his behavior in theworking, and competent, but his behavior in the
novel suggests otherwise. Like his friends, J. is anovel suggests otherwise. Like his friends, J. is a
hypochondriac.hypochondriac. GeorgeGeorge

11. GeorgeGeorge
A good-natured banker, and one of J.'s bestA good-natured banker, and one of J.'s best
friends. Of the three men, he is portrayedfriends. Of the three men, he is portrayed
as the only one who is seriously dedicatedas the only one who is seriously dedicated
to his job. He brings a banjo on the boatto his job. He brings a banjo on the boat
trip and tries to learn how to play it.trip and tries to learn how to play it.

12. HarrisHarris
A friend of George and J., who joins them on theA friend of George and J., who joins them on the
trip. Although the novel's flashbacks suggesttrip. Although the novel's flashbacks suggest
that J. and Harris (full name William Samuelthat J. and Harris (full name William Samuel
Harris) have known each other for a long time, J.Harris) have known each other for a long time, J.
actually dislikes Harris a great deal. Heactually dislikes Harris a great deal. He
constantly criticizes Harris for being lazy andconstantly criticizes Harris for being lazy and
uncultured, and writes that "there is no poetryuncultured, and writes that "there is no poetry
about Harris – no wild yearning for theabout Harris – no wild yearning for the
unattainable"unattainable"

13. MontmorencyMontmorency
J.'s lively, belligerent fox terrier. He enjoysJ.'s lively, belligerent fox terrier. He enjoys
both fighting with other dogs and huntboth fighting with other dogs and hunt
Mrs. PoppetsMrs. Poppets
J.'s landlady.J.'s landlady.

14. Uncle PodgerUncle Podger
J.'s accident-prone uncle, who is deceased. J.J.'s accident-prone uncle, who is deceased. J.
compares Harris to Uncle Podger because bothcompares Harris to Uncle Podger because both
of them have difficulty performing basic tasksof them have difficulty performing basic tasks
without making mistakes.without making mistakes.
TomTom
J.'s friend, who asked him to transport someJ.'s friend, who asked him to transport some
cheese.cheese.

15. BiggsBiggs
The local greengrocer in London. He has aThe local greengrocer in London. He has a
tendency to hire lazy and unpleasanttendency to hire lazy and unpleasant
errand-boys.errand-boys.
Mrs. GippingsMrs. Gippings
George's former landlady, who despises hisGeorge's former landlady, who despises his
banjo playingbanjo playing

16. HectorHector
J.'s friend, with whom he once went sailing.J.'s friend, with whom he once went sailing.
Tom's wifeTom's wife
Tom's wife demands that Tom get rid of theTom's wife demands that Tom get rid of the
cheese that J. brings home for them.cheese that J. brings home for them.
.

17. StivvingsStivvings
J.'s former classmate, who was dedicated toJ.'s former classmate, who was dedicated to
his studies but was often too sick tohis studies but was often too sick to
complete his work.complete his work.

18. Efforts By- Saransh VermaEfforts By- Saransh Verma
Class- IX DClass- IX D