Chapter 17 Summary

"About the Lock Keeper"

About the Lock keeper continues in the natural history / essay theme, describing the habits and duties of the lock keeper, especially in relation to eel trapping and eel cooking. It repeats the earlier theme of the Phlegmatic Henry Crick, who met Tom's mother while recuperating from his wounds in World War I, and whose father in law gave him the post at the Atkinson Lock.

Chapter 17 Analysis

This short chapter bridges the history between Henry Crick and his coming to the position of Lock keeper. It provides the linkage between the successful Atkinson brewing family and the river Cricks.