Page 1: Character and Setting Analysis

The story takes place in Panama's Aspinwall during the 1870s, presenting a detailed portrait of its main character and setting. Józef Skawiński bohaterowie pierwszoplanowi emerges as a remarkably resilient 70-year-old man who, despite his age, maintains impressive physical capabilities.

Highlight: The story's protagonist has led an extraordinarily diverse professional life across multiple continents.

Skawiński's varied career history includes:

• Gold digger in Australia
• Diamond prospector in Africa
• Government shooter in East Indies
• Farmer in California
• Wild animal trader
• Ship's sailor
• Cigar factory owner
• Lighthouse keeper

Definition: The literary work is classified as an epic (rodzaj literacki - epika) and specifically as a novella (gatunek literacki - nowela).

Example: The story employs an omniscient narrator, allowing readers to gain deep insights into multiple characters' perspectives and the broader historical context.

Vocabulary:

• Latarnik: Lighthouse keeper
• Nowela: Novella
• Miejsce akcji: Setting/place of action

The supporting characters include Mr. Izaak Falconbridge, the US Consul in Panama, and Johns, the port guard, who play crucial roles in Skawiński's story as he takes on his final role as a lighthouse keeper.