" The Hitchhiker " by Roald Dahl is a captivating short story that explores themes of social class, the value of skilled trades, and the subversion of authority. Originally published in 1977 in the Atlantic Monthly and later included in the collection The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More , it stands as a masterclass in subverting reader expectations. Plot Summary

How to Teach "The Hitchhiker" (For Educators)

Character Guide

The story follows a narrator who picks up a hitchhiker while driving his brand-new BMW to London. To test the car's speed, the narrator accelerates to 129 mph but is promptly pulled over by a policeman on a motorcycle. While the policeman records their details, the hitchhiker claims to be a "fingersmith"—a highly skilled pickpocket who prefers the term "professional" over "thief". In a final twist, the hitchhiker reveals he has stolen both the narrator's license and the policeman's notebook, effectively erasing any evidence of the speeding ticket.

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Educational Summaries

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Themes

  1. Access the story anywhere: With a digital copy, readers can access the story on various devices, making it easy to fit in a read during busy schedules.
  2. Enjoy a compact and portable version: The PDF format ensures that the story remains a compact and portable package, easily storable on e-readers, tablets, or smartphones.

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