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The History of Mr. Polly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Author | H. G. Wells |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Comedy |
| Publisher | |
| Released | 1910 |
| ISBN | NA |
The History of Mr. Polly is a 1910 comic novel by H. G. Wells and a 1949 film based on that book.
Alfred Polly, a timid young man, enjoys reading books of knightly endeavours more than his job in a draper's shop. His daydreaming loses him his job and he finds himself heading into poverty. After the death of his father, a man he had little in common with, he's left a little money and at the funeral he meets Miriam Larkins, a cousin. Although not really in love with her, he marries her and, despite his determination never to set foot in a shop again, they buy a shop and set out to make a success of it.
Fifteen years later, Miriam has become abusive and spiteful, Polly is still dissatisfied with his life, the shop is in debt and they hate all their neighbours. Feeling trapped, Polly plans to burn his shop down and kill himself. But when this plan fails, Polly decides to really turn his life around and disappears to try to make a new life for himself.
After several days' random wandering, he comes to a riverside inn, the Potwell, and is offered work by the innkeeper, a comfortable-looking widow. He stays with her, meets her young niece and also Uncle Jim, who turns up regularly, usually drunk and demanding money.
Eventually, he is able to 'scoot' Uncle Jim and settles into life working at the Potwell, which suits him well. Jim's body is found drowned and he is identified as Polly by the name sewn into a pair of trousers which Jim stole from the inn.
Several years later, in a fit of conscience, Polly returns to the shop, now run by Miriam and her sister. He briefly meets Miriam, who is horror-struck, but tells her that he doesn't really exist any more. Knowing that Miriam is now happy and content, he returns to the Potwell.
A film version starring John Mills as Mr. Polly was produced in 1949.
- The History of Mr. Polly, available at Project Gutenberg.