The Shakespeare Stealer

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-7

Chapters 8-12

Chapters 13-16

Chapters 17-20

Chapters 21-24

Chapters 25-27

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Chapters 1-3Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 1 opens with Widge, the narrator of the novel, reflecting on his earliest memories as a baby in an orphanage. When Widge is seven, a rector named Dr. Timothy Bright arrives at the orphanage in search of an apprentice, and he settles on Widge. Although Widge initially believes that his dreams of joining a loving adoptive family are coming true, he is sorely disappointed when he realizes that is not the case. Dr. Bright is a strict and violent master, and he regularly beats Widge and underfeeds him.

The only skill that Dr. Bright teaches Widge is a particular type of scriptography, invented by Dr. Bright himself. Dr. Bright calls this written language charactery, and he explains that it is the “art of short, swift, and secret writing, by the which one may transcribe the spoken word as rapidly as it issues form the tongue” (5). In other words, charactery is a system of writing that allows listeners to quickly and accurately transcribe spoken language.

Once Widge is twelve and old enough to ride a horse by himself, Dr. Bright sends him to neighboring churches to copy their sermons, which Dr. Bright then delivers to his parish rather than writing his own. Eventually, Dr. Bright’s trickery is discovered when “the wily old rector at Leeds noticed [his] feverish scribbling, and a small scandal ensued” (7). After this scandal, Widge is once again relegated to helping Dr. Bright indoors with little diversion, and he spends his days wishing for a different life. He notes, “If I had had any notion of what actually lay in store for me, I might not have wished so hard for it” (8).

Chapter 2 Summary

Two years have passed, and Widge is now fourteen. A stranger arrives at the rectory while Widge and Dr. Bright are working in the apothecary. Widge describes his appearance as “well over average height” with “a long, dark cloak of coarse fabric,” which Widge finds intimidating (10). The stranger approaches Dr. Bright and asks questions about his book, Charactery: An Art of Short, Swift, and Secret Writing. The doctor assures him that the scriptography process does work and explains that Widge has been trained in the art. After Widge demonstrates charactery, the stranger asks to purchase Widge from Dr. Bright. The doctor agrees, and the stranger abruptly pulls Widge out of the rectory and into the unknown.

Chapter 3 Summary

In this chapter, Widge walks behind the stranger, who rides a horse, and tries to keep up with the stranger’s fast pace. He passes things he has never seen before, having lived a sequestered life with Dr. Bright. Though Widge considers escaping, he changes his mind as woods begin to envelop him and the stranger. In his rush to keep pace with the stranger’s horse, Widge steps on a sharp stone that pierces the leather of his worn shoe soles, cutting his foot. The stranger grudgingly allows Widge to ride behind him, but he does little else to care for Widge’s wound or his increasing exhaustion.

The next night, as Widge and the stranger are riding through the forest, they encounter a group of “shadowy figures” blocking their path (21). The figures reveal themselves to be thieves. Instead of handing over his purse of money, the stranger fights them. Widge is wounded in the ensuing scuffle, but the stranger prevails, knocking most of the thieves unconscious and injuring the rest. The stranger’s fighting prowess amazes Widge. When he attempts to ask the stranger about it as they trot away, the stranger chastises him for speaking without being spoken to first. Consequently, they continue their journey in silence.

Chapters 1-3 Analysis

Although The Shakespeare Stealer is a young-adult novel, it introduces many mature themes that young readers may need help to navigate. For instance, the first three chapters set the stage for the story’s central theme of family and friendship (or lack thereof) and what it means to build relationships with others. Widge, the book’s young protagonist, has lived an isolated life in a small English village, and his only regular social interaction is with his abusive master, Dr. Bright. Widge’s earliest memories take place in the orphanage where he grew up—and where he was often hungry and occasionally beaten. Widge never knew his mother or father and has no idea what happened to them. He considers himself an orphan whether or not he actually fits the definition of one.

Widge is seven when Dr. Bright adopts him from the orphanage, still young enough to hope he is being welcomed into a loving family. He remarks, “It was the dream of each child within those dreary walls that someday a real family would come and claim him” (4). Instead, Widge meets disappointment, abuse, and drudgery. The neglect and abuse Widge suffers takes a psychological toll, demonstrated, particularly in the initial chapters, in his emotionless and matter-of-fact narration. This voice creates a sense of despondent interiority. Because the outside world Widge lives in is dangerous, he turns inward to protect himself—and actively represses memories, practicing disassociation: Widge explains, “of my life at the orphanage, I have made it a habit to recall as little as possible” (3). Widge uses this coping mechanism throughout the story.

For readers, recurring mentions of parentage, biological family, neglect, and abuse explain Widge’s character and his inability to trust others or form authentic connections.