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The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux

Part of The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux

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Textual identity is not textual authority. “Catalogue primary/default” selects the default catalogue representation; it does not mean that this wording is automatically Howard’s most authoritative text.

Introduction

There exist two typescripts for this story. The first corresponds to the final version submitted to Fight Stories and Argosy. It is written in the third person and the ghostly elements are less marked. Ghost Stories bought this story for $95 and published it under the title 'The Apparition in the Prize Ring' and the name John Taverel.

The second typescript is written in the first person and the supernatural element is more pronounced.

Thomas Molineaux (23 March 1784 – 4 August 1818), sometimes spelled Molyneaux or Molyneux, was an American bare-knuckle boxer and possibly a former slave. He spent much of his career in Great Britain and Ireland, where he had some notable successes. He arrived in England in 1809 and started his fighting career there in 1810. His two fights against Tom Cribb, widely viewed as the Champion of England, brought Molineaux fame even though he lost both contests. The result of the first encounter was hotly contested, with accusations of a fix. The second, losing contest with Cribb, however, was undisputed. His prizefighting career ended in 1815. After a tour that took him to Scotland and Ireland, he died in Galway, Ireland in 1818, aged 34. (information from Wikipedia)

The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux is not just a story about boxing; it's a tale that explores themes of courage, the power of inspiration, and the transcendent connection between the past and the present. Through the supernatural victory of Jessel, the narrative pays homage to the legacy of African American boxers and the indomitable spirit that defines true champions.

From the letters:

From a letter written to his friend, Tevis Clyde Smith, circa November 1928 (letter #091) we learn that Howard told him that he sold the story to Ghost Story Magazine:

Heh heh!

At last I’ve sold a story to Ghost Story Magazine; they said I ought to get the check soon. I hope so. I need mazuma as usual. How are you coming with your literary work?

At the end of the letter Howard said:

Heh heh!
I got $95.00 for the manuscript I sold to Ghost Story Megazine.
You might answer soon.

A detailed comparison between the stories

Narrative Style

  • "The Apparition in the Prize Ring": This version of the story unfolds in a direct, narrative manner that focuses on the sequence of events leading up to and during the climactic fight between Ace Jessel and Mankiller Gomez. The narrative is infused with a sense of immediacy and urgency, which keeps the reader engaged with the unfolding drama.
  • "The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux": The narrative style here is more reflective, with a significant portion of the story dedicated to exploring the background and the emotional states of the characters, particularly Ace's reverence for Tom Molyneaux and his internal struggles. The pacing allows for a deeper dive into the characters' motivations and the significance of the supernatural intervention.

Character Development

  • "The Apparition in the Prize Ring": Character development is more plot-driven, with a focus on Ace Jessel's physical abilities and the challenges he faces in the ring. The relationship between Ace and Tom Molyneaux is established primarily through the narrative context of the fight.
  • "The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux": There's a greater emphasis on character depth, especially regarding Ace's internal conflicts and his deep connection to Tom Molyneaux. The story delves into Ace's background and his journey from being inspired by Molyneaux's legacy to becoming the recipient of his spiritual aid.

Thematic Focus

  • Both versions: Share common themes of perseverance, the impact of historical figures on present individuals, and the intersection of the physical and the supernatural in achieving one's destiny. However, each story explores these themes through slightly different lenses.

Supernatural Elements

  • "The Apparition in the Prize Ring": The supernatural aspect is presented more as an unexpected intervention that directly influences the outcome of the fight. The manifestation of Tom Molyneaux's spirit is a critical turning point that is described in a straightforward manner.
  • "The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux": The supernatural intervention is deeply intertwined with Ace's personal growth and his emotional journey. The presence of Tom Molyneaux's spirit serves not only as a means to an end but also as a symbolic representation of the enduring influence of legacy and belief.

Conclusion

While both versions of the story share a common narrative core, their approaches to storytelling, character exploration, and thematic exposition differ. "The Apparition in the Prize Ring" focuses on the external drama of the boxing match and the miraculous victory, while "The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux" offers a more nuanced exploration of the characters' internal landscapes and the profound impact of ancestral legacy on individual destiny. The choice between them depends on the reader's preference for action-driven narratives or character-driven explorations with a touch of the supernatural.

Links and sources:

Characters in this exact text

Ace JesselAce Jessel — heavyweight boxer managed by John TaverelOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round One UE p. 3John TaverelJohn Taverel — manager/narrator associated with Ace JesselOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round One UE p. 3Mankiller GomezMankiller Gomez — Senegalese heavyweight champion whose real name is Balanga GumaOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round One UE p. 5Maul FinneganMaul Finnegan — boxer previously fought by Ace JesselMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round One UE p. 3Tom CribbTom Cribb — historical English bare-knuckle championMentionedfirst: Fists of Iron Round One UE p. 7Tom MolyneauxTom Molyneaux — historical boxer and early Black boxing championOn Pagefirst: Fists of Iron Round One UE p. 3

Textual witnesses & editorial mediation

These records describe how this textual state is known or represented. A witness may be authorial, editorially mediated, restored, transcribed or otherwise derived without becoming a new Howard-authored textual state.

Fists of Iron Round 1 - UERestored reading editionAuthority basis: Restoration toward authorial text · Treatment: Restored toward authorial wording

https://reh.world/publications/?reh_publication=1442

The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard (Del Rey, 2008)Restored reading editionAuthority basis: Restoration toward authorial text · Treatment: Restored toward authorial wording

The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard, supplied Del Rey 2008 PDF, pp. 58–65; Notes on the Original Howard Texts, pp. 340–351.