Two Fishermen (Esquire Magazine, Feb. 1934)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, places, and objects that recur throughout the 'Two Fishermen' narrative.

Two Fishermen

A short story by Morley Callaghan about a town newspaper reporter and a novice hangman on the day of an execution.

Michael Foster

The tall, eager Examiner reporter who dreams of working on a city paper and covers the Delaney case.

Ted Bagley

Owner of Bagley’s Hotel who informs Michael about the two men who arrived on this morning’s train.

Bagley's Hotel

The lodging establishment where the two visitors register and are identified by Bagley.

The Examiner

The town newspaper for which Michael works; it intends to report on the hangman’s arrival.

T. Woodley

One of the two visitors; described as a drummer by Bagley.

K. Smith (Smitty)

The other visitor; a mild, harmless‑looking man who is later revealed to be the hangman.

Hangman

The executioner responsible for Delaney’s upcoming death; personified here with a peculiar dignity.

Thomas Delaney

The young man who killed Rhinehart and is scheduled to be hanged.

Rhinehart (Mathew Rhinehart)

The man Delaney killed; Rhinehart’s death is the catalyst for the hanging.

Smollet’s/Smollers place

The place by the power-house where the stranger says he could get a rowboat for fishing.

Power-house

The power plant near the town by the lake, a landmark in the setting.

Smitty

Nickname for K. Smith; used by Michael and reveals a genial, storytelling persona.

Jail yard

The yard around the town jail where the hanging and crowd gathering occur.

Henry Steadman

The sheriff; a squat, heavy man who answers questions in the jail office.

Dr. Parker

The physician in the jail procession who signs the death certificate.

Mortimer

James Mortimer, a large fisherman who interacts with Smitty and participates in the crowd.

Gallows

The scaffold or platform at the jail where Delaney is to be executed.