The Club Footed Grocer

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Year 11 English: G C S E Coursework

Write a study of The Club Footed Grocer, answering the following question: 'While reading this story, one is captivated by the sense of mystery, but when you are finished, what remains in the mind is the pure, unadulterated greed represented by the Uncle'. How far do you agree with this assessment of the e Club Footed Grocer?

This short story is written in the first person by John, the nephew of Stephen Maple who describes his uncle as someone 'who had been at the same time the most successful and the least respectable of our family'. Throughout this piece the reader is gripped by curiosity and a sense of mystery and confusion presented through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's vivid imagery and atmosphere. The way in which the writer adds small mysterious pieces of information to encourage the reader to turn the page.

The background to the undertone of the story is shown in the descriptions of his uncle attacked in Stepney, London and was left with 3 broken ribs and a broken leg, which healed so badly that it, was 3 inches shorter than the other. He is described as having a

'a large grocery in Stepney, which did a curious mixed business. Not always as we have heard of a very savoury character with the riverside and seafaring people.' This evokes the feeling that he has a shady and rather seedy business and is sometimes on the wrong side of the law.

John's mother states that Maple has no friends and he does not deserve any, and she seems to bear a grudge towards him that he did not help John's father when in trouble.

They have not had any contact from him, although we can deduce that she must have written to Maple as it is mentioned that 'if he is a stout a lad as he promised for when last I heard from you', then they receive a letter asking for assistance.
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A sense of mystery is introduced to the story at this point by the letter asking John to help him in great urgency, but also threatening 'should you fail now you will live to regret it.' Then by the first telegram, which asked him to get off at the next station, further along the line and go the Garth Farm rather than Greta House. The second telegram arrives asking him to bring a gun, now the reader sense that there is danger in what was first thought adventure.

When John gets off the train he meets a ...

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