Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog), Chapter 18 summary
Chapter 18 of 19 · 10 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 18, the companions travel upriver toward Oxford while the narrator describes locks, historic towns, dangerous water, and difficult currents. A memory of a nearly capsized boat turns into a story about a ruined photograph, and the closing reflections show how boating strains even gentle tempers.
What happens
- The companions leave Streatley, row to Culham, and sleep aboard while the narrator praises locks as welcome breaks from rowing.
- He recalls posing with George for a photograph at Hampton Court while their boat catches beneath the lock frame.
- They free the boat with their oars, fall backward, and spoil the photograph with their raised feet.
- The narrator describes riverside towns, old buildings, church memorials, and the dangerous pool beneath Sandford lasher.
- The companions pass Iffley around half past twelve and struggle through confusing currents toward Oxford.
- Clashes with other boats prompt the narrator to reflect on the anger that boating brings out.
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In this chapter
Quick check
Why do George and the narrator fall backward during the photograph?
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