"The Hitchhiker" is a relatively short story, typically ranging from 8 to 12 pages in a standard PDF format. Its brevity is part of its appeal, making it a perfect read for a single sitting.
The story begins with the narrator picking up a "rat-like" hitchhiker out of empathy, recalling his own days of being poor. During the drive, the hitchhiker goads the narrator into testing the car’s top speed, leading them to be pulled over by an aggressive and bullying policeman. The officer takes down both of their details in his official notebook, threatening the driver with prison. However, once they are back on the road, the hitchhiker reveals he is a "fingersmith"—a highly skilled pickpocket. He produces the policeman's notebooks from his pocket, having stolen them during the encounter, effectively erasing the evidence of their crime. Key Themes and Analysis The Illusion of Control and Appearance the hitchhiker by roald dahl pdf
The narrator, a teenager, is driving home from school on a motorway when he notices a strange-looking man thumbing for a ride. Despite feeling uneasy, the narrator decides to pick up the hitchhiker. As they drive, the narrator tries to make conversation, but the hitchhiker seems evasive and awkward. "The Hitchhiker" is a relatively short story, typically