Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from The Reporter Who Made Himself King, by Richard Harding Davis
And then as war work was out of the question, he decided to write his
novel. It was to be a novel of New York life, and he wanted a quiet
place in which to work on it. He was already making inquiries among
the suburban residents of his acquaintance for just such a quiet spot,
when he received an offer to go to the Island of Opeki in the North
Pacific Ocean, as secretary to the American consul at that place. The
gentleman who had been appointed by the President to act as consul at
Opeki was Captain Leonard T. Travis, a veteran of the Civil War, who
had contracted a severe attack of rheumatism while camping out at night
in the dew, and who on account of this souvenir of his efforts to save
the Union had allowed the Union he had saved to support him in one
office or another ever since. He had met young Gordon at a dinner, and
had had the presumption to ask him to serve as his secretary, and
Gordon, much to his surprise, had accepted his offer. The idea of a
quiet life in the tropics with new and beautiful surroundings, and with
nothing to do and plenty of time in which to do it, and to write his
novel besides, seemed to Albert to be just what he wanted; and though
he did not know nor care much for his superior officer, he agreed to go
with him promptly, and proceeded to say good-by to his friends and to
make his preparations. Captain Travis was so delighted with getting
such a clever young gentleman for his secretary, that he referred to
him to his friends as "my attache of legation;" nor did he lessen that
gentleman's dignity by telling anyone that the attache's salary was to
be five hundred dollars a year. His own salary was only fifteen
hundred dollars; and though his brother-in-law, Senator Rainsford,
tried his best to get the amount raised, he was unsuccessful. The
consulship to Opeki was instituted early in the '50's, to get rid of
and reward a third or fourth cousin of the President's, whose services
during the campaign were important, but whose after-presence was
embarrassing. He had been created consul to Opeki as being more
distant and unaccessible than any other known spot, and had lived and
died there; and so little was known of the island, and so difficult was
communication with it, that no one knew he was dead, until Captain
Travis, in his hungry haste for office, had uprooted the sad fact.
Captain Travis, as well as Albert, had a secondary reason for wishing
to visit Opeki. His physician had told him to go to some warm climate
for his rheumatism, and in accepting the consulship his object was
rather to follow out his doctor's orders at his country's expense, than
to serve his country at the expense of his rheumatism.
Albert could learn but very little of Opeki; nothing, indeed, but that
it was situated about one hundred miles from the Island of Octavia,
which island, in turn, was simply described as a coaling-station three
hundred miles distant from the coast of California. Steamers from San
Francisco to Yokohama stopped every third week at Octavia, and that was
all that either Captain Travis or his secretary could learn of their
new home. This was so very little, that Albert stipulated to stay only
as long as he liked it, and to return to the States within a few months
if he found such a change of plan desirable.
As he was going to what was an almost undiscovered country, he thought
it would be advisable to furnish himself with a supply of articles with
which he might trade with the native Opekians, and for this purpose he
purchased a large quantity of brass rods, because he had read that
Stanley did so, and added to these, brass curtain-chains, and about two
hundred leaden medals similar to those sold by street pedlers during
the Constitutional Centennial celebration in New York City.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Reporter Who Made Himself King by Richard Harding Davis
Context of the Source
Richard Harding Davis (1864–1916) was a prominent American journalist, war correspondent, and fiction writer known for his adventurous spirit and vivid storytelling. The Reporter Who Made Himself King (1894) is a novella that blends adventure, satire, and colonial critique, following the exploits of Albert Gordon, a young American journalist who finds himself in the remote Pacific island of Opeki. The story reflects late 19th-century American imperialism, the allure of exoticism, and the absurdities of bureaucratic appointments in distant colonies.
This excerpt introduces the premise: Albert Gordon, disillusioned with war reporting and seeking a quiet place to write his novel, accepts a position as secretary to Captain Leonard T. Travis, a Civil War veteran turned minor diplomat. Their destination—Opeki—is a barely known, politically irrelevant island, making it an ideal setting for satire on colonial ineptitude and the absurdity of American expansionism.
Themes in the Excerpt
Escapism and the Search for Meaning
- Albert Gordon, disillusioned with war reporting ("war work was out of the question"), seeks refuge in writing a novel about New York life. His acceptance of the Opeki posting reflects a desire for isolation and artistic focus, though his motivations are somewhat naive—he romanticizes the tropics as a "quiet life" with "nothing to do and plenty of time."
- The irony is that Opeki, far from being a peaceful retreat, will become a site of chaos and unintended consequence, forcing Albert into a role he never anticipated (as hinted by the title, The Reporter Who Made Himself King).
Colonial Absurdity and Bureaucratic Ineptitude
- The consulship to Opeki is a joke—a political favor dating back to the 1850s, created to exile an embarrassing presidential cousin. The position is so obscure that no one even knew the previous consul was dead until Travis "uprooted the sad fact" while lobbying for the job.
- Captain Travis is a parody of the "professional patriot"—a man who leverages his minor Civil War service (and resultant rheumatism) to secure cushy government posts. His appointment is less about diplomacy than personal convenience (his doctor recommended a warm climate).
- The salary disparity (Travis earns $1,500, Albert just $500) underscores the triviality of the post. Travis’s pretentious title for Albert ("my attaché of legation") is a comic inflation of a menial role, exposing the vanity of colonial titles.
Ignorance and the "Unknown" in Imperialism
- Neither Albert nor Travis knows anything about Opeki beyond its vague location near Octavia, a "coaling-station" for steamers. This ignorance mirrors real historical patterns where colonial powers dispatched officials to regions they barely understood, often with disastrous results.
- Albert’s preparation—buying brass rods and cheap medals—highlights his cluelessness. His reliance on Stanley’s example (the famous African explorer) is misplaced; Opeki is not Africa, and his "trade goods" are absurdly inadequate (e.g., "Constitutional Centennial" medals, a random American knickknack).
Satire of American Expansionism
- The excerpt mocks the haphazard nature of U.S. territorial ambitions in the late 19th century. Opeki is a backwater, but its very obscurity makes it a perfect target for satire—America’s imperial reach extends even to places it doesn’t bother to learn about.
- The consulship’s origin (a political favor) and Travis’s motives (health, not service) critique the self-serving nature of colonial administration.
Literary Devices
Irony
- Situational Irony: Albert seeks quiet to write his novel but ends up in a chaotic, unknown land. His "trade goods" (brass rods, cheap medals) are laughably inappropriate, foreshadowing his later struggles.
- Dramatic Irony: The reader senses that Opeki will not be the idyllic retreat Albert imagines, while he remains oblivious.
- Verbal Irony: Travis’s grand title for Albert ("attaché of legation") contrasts with the mundane reality (a $500/year secretary job).
Satire
- The excerpt ridicules:
- Colonial bureaucracy: The consulship exists solely to reward political loyalists, not to serve any real purpose.
- American imperialism: The U.S. claims territory it knows nothing about, sending ill-prepared officials.
- Self-importance: Travis’s rheumatism is treated as a noble sacrifice for the Union, and he inflates Albert’s role to stroke his own ego.
- The excerpt ridicules:
Foreshadowing
- Albert’s naive preparations (brass rods, medals) hint at his later improvisations and the absurdity of his eventual rise to power.
- The mention of Opeki’s obscurity ("no one knew he was dead") foreshadows the lawlessness and lack of oversight Albert will exploit.
Characterization Through Detail
- Albert Gordon: Ambitious but aimless, romanticizing the tropics without understanding them. His purchase of random trade goods shows his lack of preparation.
- Captain Travis: A comic figure—lazy, self-serving, and delusional about his own importance. His rheumatism is a metaphor for his outdated, useless patriotism.
Juxtaposition
- The contrast between Albert’s literary aspirations and the absurd reality of Opeki highlights the gap between expectation and experience in colonial adventures.
Significance of the Excerpt
Critique of Colonialism
- Davis uses Opeki as a microcosm to expose the farcical nature of imperialism. The island is a dumping ground for political hacks, and its irrelevance makes it a perfect setting for satire. The excerpt suggests that colonialism is often driven by personal whims (Travis’s health) or bureaucratic inertia, not grand strategy.
The Myth of the "Noble Savage" and Exoticism
- Albert’s romanticized view of Opeki as a "quiet place" with "beautiful surroundings" reflects the Western trope of the tropical paradise. His ignorance (and the reality of Opeki’s obscurity) undermines this myth, setting up the story’s later subversion of colonial fantasies.
The Unreliable Adventurer
- Albert is an anti-hero—a man who stumbles into power not through skill but through circumstance. His preparation (or lack thereof) foreshadows the improvisational, almost accidental nature of his later "kingship."
Historical Parallels
- The excerpt mirrors real U.S. expansion in the Pacific (e.g., annexation of Hawaii, 1898) and the haphazard appointment of officials to distant posts. Davis’s satire resonates with contemporary debates about America’s role as a global power.
Line-by-Line Analysis of Key Passages
"He was already making inquiries among the suburban residents of his acquaintance for just such a quiet spot, when he received an offer to go to the Island of Opeki..."
- Albert’s initial plan (a suburban retreat) is mundane, making his sudden pivot to Opeki seem impulsive and ill-considered. The contrast emphasizes his naivety.
"Captain Leonard T. Travis, a veteran of the Civil War, who had contracted a severe attack of rheumatism while camping out in the dew..."
- Travis’s rheumatism is a comic detail—his "souvenir" of the war is not glory but a chronic ailment, which he now uses to justify leeching off the government. The passage mocks the cult of veteran worship.
"The consulship to Opeki was instituted early in the '50s, to get rid of and reward a third or fourth cousin of the President's..."
- This reveals the cynical origins of colonial posts: nepotism and convenience, not governance. The fact that no one noticed the previous consul’s death underscores Opeki’s irrelevance.
"Albert could learn but very little of Opeki; nothing, indeed, but that it was situated about one hundred miles from the Island of Octavia..."
- The vagueness highlights the absurdity of sending officials to places they know nothing about. Octavia’s description as a "coaling-station" reduces it to a functional stopover, not a real place.
"He thought it would be advisable to furnish himself with a supply of articles with which he might trade with the native Opekians, and for this purpose he purchased a large quantity of brass rods..."
- Albert’s preparation is both random and condescending. The brass rods (a nod to Stanley’s African expeditions) and "Constitutional Centennial" medals are meaningless to Opekians, symbolizing the cultural cluelessness of colonial interlopers.
Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters
This passage sets the stage for a story that is equal parts adventure and satire. Through Albert and Travis, Davis critiques the arrogance and incompetence of colonial ventures, where men with no qualifications or knowledge are sent to govern places they don’t understand. The humor lies in the gap between their self-importance and the absurd reality of Opeki—a place so forgotten that its consul’s death went unnoticed.
Albert’s journey from aspiring novelist to accidental king will explore themes of power, identity, and the chaos that ensues when the unprepared collide with the unknown. The excerpt’s irony and satire ensure that the reader approaches the story with a critical eye, recognizing the folly of imperial ambitions and the absurdity of human pretensions.
Questions
Question 1
The passage’s depiction of Captain Travis’s rheumatism and his subsequent appointment to Opeki most strongly suggests which of the following critiques?
A. The physical toll of war is often underappreciated by those who benefit from its outcomes.
B. Government positions are frequently awarded based on merit rather than political connections.
C. Patriotic service can devolve into self-serving exploitation under the guise of national duty.
D. Medical advice in the 19th century was typically prioritized over professional obligations.
E. Chronic illness is an inevitable consequence of military heroism and should be compensated.
Question 2
Albert Gordon’s decision to purchase brass rods and Constitutional Centennial medals as trade goods primarily serves to illustrate:
A. his pragmatic adaptability to unfamiliar cultural contexts.
B. the absurdity of imposing Western trinkets on non-Western societies.
C. the historical accuracy of his preparations compared to Stanley’s expeditions.
D. his deep understanding of Pacific Islander trade economies.
E. the economic necessity of barter in remote diplomatic postings.
Question 3
The narrator’s tone when describing the origins of the Opeki consulship is best characterized as:
A. reverent toward the political acumen of past administrations.
B. neutral, presenting facts without implicit judgment.
C. nostalgic for an era of simpler diplomatic appointments.
D. ironic, exposing the cynicism behind bureaucratic favors.
E. sympathetic to the challenges of managing distant territories.
Question 4
Which of the following inferences about Albert Gordon’s character is least supported by the passage?
A. He is motivated by a desire for artistic solitude but lacks practical foresight.
B. He possesses a keen diplomatic instinct for navigating colonial hierarchies.
C. His acceptance of the Opeki posting reflects a romanticized view of tropical life.
D. His preparations for the journey reveal a superficial engagement with the culture he will encounter.
E. He is willing to abandon the posting if it fails to meet his personal expectations.
Question 5
The passage’s structural juxtaposition of Albert’s literary ambitions with the absurd reality of the Opeki appointment primarily serves to:
A. highlight the compatibility of artistic pursuits and colonial administration.
B. contrast the idealism of youth with the pragmatism of experienced diplomats.
C. underscore the disconnect between personal aspiration and the chaos of imperial ventures.
D. argue that remote postings are uniquely conducive to creative productivity.
E. suggest that financial necessity is the true driver of colonial careers.
Solutions and Explanations
1) Correct answer: C
Why C is most correct: The passage frames Travis’s rheumatism as a "souvenir" of his Civil War service, which he leverages to secure a salaried position ("the Union he had saved to support him"). The narrator’s tone is subtly mocking—Travis’s "patriotism" is a pretext for personal gain, and his appointment to Opeki is less about service than exploiting a government perk. This aligns with a critique of how patriotic rhetoric can mask self-interest.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: The passage does not lament the underappreciation of war’s toll; it mocks Travis’s use of his ailment to avoid labor.
- B: The text explicitly undermines this—Travis’s appointment is nepotistic, not meritocratic.
- D: While Travis follows medical advice, the passage emphasizes his motive (self-serving convenience), not the prioritization of health per se.
- E: The tone is satirical, not earnest; Travis’s illness is framed as a convenient excuse, not a noble sacrifice.
2) Correct answer: B
Why B is most correct: Albert’s trade goods—brass rods and cheap medals—are arbitrarily chosen (he "had read that Stanley did so") and culturally irrelevant (the medals reference a U.S. centennial, meaningless to Opekians). The passage highlights the absurdity of assuming Western trinkets hold value in non-Western contexts, a common colonial blind spot.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: His preparations are not adaptive; they’re haphazard and based on misplaced analogy (Stanley’s Africa ≠ Opeki).
- C: The passage undermines historical accuracy—Albert’s mimicry of Stanley is naive, not informed.
- D: The text shows the opposite—Albert has no understanding of Pacific trade.
- E: Barter isn’t the focus; the inappropriateness of his goods is.
3) Correct answer: D
Why D is most correct: The narrator describes the consulship’s origin as a tool to "get rid of and reward" an embarrassing relative, noting that the previous consul’s death went unnoticed. The dry, detached phrasing ("instituted early in the '50s," "no one knew he was dead") conveys irony, exposing the cynicism of political appointments.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: The tone is mocking, not reverent.
- B: The details (e.g., "embarrassing" cousin) carry implicit judgment.
- C: There’s no nostalgia; the past is framed as corrupt.
- E: The passage doesn’t sympathize with administrative challenges—it ridicules them.
4) Correct answer: B
Why B is least supported: The passage provides no evidence of Albert’s diplomatic acumen. His interactions with Travis are passive (he "accepted his offer" despite indifference), and his preparations are naive. The other options are all textually grounded:
- A: He seeks solitude but fails to research Opeki.
- C: He romanticizes the tropics as "quiet" and "beautiful."
- D: His trade goods are culturally clueless.
- E: He stipulates he’ll leave if dissatisfied.
5) Correct answer: C
Why C is most correct: The passage contrasts Albert’s artistic goals (writing a novel in quiet) with the chaotic reality of Opeki—a place so obscure and mismanaged that it undermines his plans. The juxtaposition critiques the gap between personal idealism and the absurdity of imperial ventures, where individuals stumble into roles they’re unprepared for.
Why the distractors are less supported:
- A: The passage suggests the incompatibility of art and colonial chaos.
- B: Travis is hardly a "pragmatic diplomat"—he’s a lazy opportunist.
- D: Opeki is portrayed as antithetical to productivity.
- E: Financial necessity isn’t Albert’s motive; he’s driven by romantic escapism.