The narrative setup is classic Dahl: an everyman narrator—this time, a writer driving a new BMW—picks up a hitchhiker on his way to London. The hitchhiker is a shabby, rat-faced man who initially seems unimpressive. He criticizes the narrator's driving and questions the car's speed.
However, the tension shifts when they are pulled over by a traffic policeman. The officer is aggressive, insulting, and threatens the narrator with a lengthy prison sentence for speeding. The narrator is terrified, but the hitchhiker remains strangely calm.
It is the story’s twist ending that makes it so memorable (and so frequently assigned in schools). The narrator discovers that his passenger is a "fingersmith"—a master pickpocket. In a brilliant act of rebellion, the hitchhiker reveals he has stolen the policeman’s own notebook, containing the evidence of their crime, ensuring they cannot be prosecuted.
To help you study or decide if this story is for you, here is a spoiler-heavy walkthrough (though the twist is too good to spoil entirely).
Part 1: The Proud Owner The unnamed narrator picks up a tiny, rat-faced man in a linen jacket. The hitchhiker immediately shows intense interest in the car, a 3.5-litre drophead coupé. The narrator brags about its speed, revealing his vanity.
Part 2: The Bet The hitchhiker says, "I bet you aren't going over 70." Offended, the narrator floors the accelerator. The hitchhiker then announces he has "fingers" that can multiply the speed. He performs a trick with his hands and declares they are now doing 90. The narrator is so focused on proving his car’s prowess that he fails to notice the danger.
Part 3: The Cop A police officer on a motorcycle appears. The narrator is pulled over. The scene is tense. The narrator expects a fine for speeding. He is embarrassed and afraid. The officer writes in his notebook, says he’ll report him, and lets him go.
Part 4: The Revelation After the cop leaves, the narrator turns to the hitchhiker to complain about his bad luck. However, the hitchhiker is grinning. He opens his hand. Inside are the policeman’s notebook and license. The narrator is horrified. He asks, "Are you a thief?" The hitchhiker corrects him: "No. I’s a picker-up."
Part 5: The Obsession The hitchhiker reveals his life’s work: picking pockets. He isn’t a common thief who steals for money. He steals for the art. He has a trophy case at home filled with watches, wallets, and police notebooks. He explains that he took the officer’s notebook purely to destroy the evidence of the speeding ticket. The story ends with the narrator offering the hitchhiker a job (as a writer needs good research), and the hitchhiker agreeing, cementing a bizarre, amoral friendship.
Before diving into "The Hitchhiker," it's worth noting that Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter, best known for his beloved children's books such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," and "James and the Giant Peach." His works often carry a dark humor and a twist of the unexpected, themes that are also prevalent in "The Hitchhiker."
The search term "The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl PDF" trends consistently for a reason. The story is a staple of English Language Arts curriculums worldwide for several distinct reasons:
1. The Narrative Twist: Teachers use the story to teach irony and the "twist ending." Unlike a mystery where the reader is given clues, Dahl lures the reader into judging the hitchhiker by his appearance, only to flip the script. The PDF format allows students to easily highlight the foreshadowing clues they missed the first time.
2. The Moral Grey Area: Unlike Dahl’s children’s books, where good triumphs over evil in a clear-cut manner, "The Hitchhiker" sits in a grey zone. The protagonists break the law (speeding and theft), yet the reader roots for them because the authority figure (the policeman) is portrayed as a bully. It sparks excellent classroom debate regarding the difference between "legal" and "right."
3. Accessibility: As a short story, it is concise and punchy. It fits easily into a single digital document, making it perfect for e-readers, tablets, or printing for study guides.
The Hitch-Hiker Roald Dahl is protected by copyright and is not in the public domain, a full PDF of the text cannot be provided here. the hitchhiker by roald dahl pdf
However, to help you "create a piece" or better understand the story for a creative project, Core Premise & Characters
The story follows a successful writer driving a brand-new BMW who picks up an unusual man hitchhiking to the Epsom Derby.
The Narrator: A wealthy man who feels a kinship with the "underdog" because he remembers being poor.
The Hitch-Hiker: Described as having a "rat-like face," sharp teeth, and pointed ears, he is a master of his craft—which he calls being a "fingersmith" (an elite pickpocket). Key Themes to Explore
Social Class and Authority: The story contrasts the narrator’s legitimate wealth with the hitchhiker’s illicit skills. Both men are "pros," but only one is legally recognized.
Professional Pride: The hitchhiker takes immense pride in his "craft," refusing to be called a "thief" and instead identifying as a highly skilled specialist.
The "Dahl-esque" Twist: Like many of Dahl's stories, the ending relies on a clever reversal where the hitchhiker uses his criminal skills to save the narrator from a legal disaster (speeding tickets). Creative Inspiration: Dahl’s Style
If you are writing a piece inspired by this story, consider these techniques:
Vivid Caricature: Describe characters with animalistic traits (e.g., the "human rat" description of the hitchhiker).
Sudden Tension: Use a minor authority figure (like the motorcycle cop in the story) to heighten the stakes quickly.
The Hidden Skill: Introduce a character who seems lowly but possesses a "superhuman" or highly specialized skill that eventually changes the outcome of the plot.
You can find the story officially published in the collection The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More. The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl | Summary, Analysis & Themes
In Roald Dahl’s " The Hitchhiker " (1977), a wealthy writer picks up a mysterious, "rat-like" man while driving his new BMW to London. What starts as a simple encounter turns into a classic Dahl story of subverted expectations, skilled deception, and a sharp critique of authority. Plot Summary
The Encounter: The narrator, enjoying the luxury and speed of his new car, picks up a hitchhiker. The passenger is secretive about his profession, only describing it as a "highly skilled trade". The narrative setup is classic Dahl: an everyman
The Speed Trap: The hitchhiker goads the narrator into testing the BMW's top speed. They hit 120 mph just as they are pulled over by an aggressive, bullying motorcycle cop.
The Ticket: The policeman writes a speeding ticket and records both of their personal details in his notebook, threatening the narrator with a heavy fine and potential prison time.
The Reveal: After the cop leaves, the hitchhiker reveals he is a "fingersmith"—a master pickpocket who considers himself an artist, not a common thief. To prove it, he shows the narrator various items he swiped from him during the drive, including his watch and belt.
The Twist: The hitchhiker reveals he also stole the policeman's notebooks. Without the written records, the cop has no evidence of the speeding violation, allowing them both to escape the law. Key Themes The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl | Summary, Analysis & Themes
The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl: A Spine-Chilling Tale of Mystery and Suspense
Roald Dahl, the master of dark humor and macabre storytelling, weaves a thrilling narrative in "The Hitchhiker," a short story that has captivated readers for generations. This eerie and engaging tale, available in various formats, including PDF, has become a classic of modern horror, leaving an indelible mark on the literary world.
The Story Unfolds
On a dark and stormy night, a young driver, who remains nameless throughout the story, picks up a mysterious hitchhiker on a deserted road. The hitchhiker, a eerie and unsettling figure, gets into the car, and the driver, despite initial reservations, offers him a ride. As they drive through the desolate landscape, the hitchhiker begins to reveal his true nature, leaving the driver – and the reader – with a sense of creeping dread.
Dahl's Masterful Storytelling
Roald Dahl's writing style in "The Hitchhiker" is characterized by his signature blend of wit, humor, and suspense. He skillfully crafts a sense of tension, slowly ratcheting up the fear factor as the story unfolds. The author's use of descriptive language paints a vivid picture of the setting, immersing the reader in the dark and foreboding atmosphere.
Exploring the Themes
Beneath its surface-level horror, "The Hitchhiker" explores several thought-provoking themes, including:
The Impact of "The Hitchhiker"
Roald Dahl's "The Hitchhiker" has had a significant impact on the literary world, inspiring numerous adaptations and interpretations. The story has been: The Impact of "The Hitchhiker" Roald Dahl's "The
The PDF Version: Accessibility and Convenience
For those interested in reading "The Hitchhiker" in a digital format, the PDF version offers a convenient and accessible way to experience the story. The PDF format allows readers to:
Conclusion
"The Hitchhiker" by Roald Dahl is a masterful tale of suspense and horror that continues to captivate readers to this day. With its eerie atmosphere, thought-provoking themes, and spine-tingling plot, it's no wonder that this story has become a classic of modern horror. The PDF version offers a convenient way to experience the story, making it easily accessible to readers everywhere. If you haven't already, take a ride with the hitchhiker and discover why Roald Dahl's work remains a benchmark of dark humor and storytelling prowess.
"The Hitchhiker," a short story by Roald Dahl first published in 1977, is a masterful example of his ability to blend suspense, dark humor, and a sharp critique of authority. Originally appearing in The Atlantic Monthly, the story was later featured in his renowned collection, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More. Plot Summary
The narrative follows a wealthy writer driving to London in his brand-new BMW 3.3 Li, a car he is eager to test to its 129 mph limit. Along the way, he picks up a hitchhiker who has a "ratty-faced" appearance and long, slim fingers. The hitchhiker remains secretive about his profession, only revealing he is going to the horse races.
When the narrator speeds to prove the car’s power, they are pulled over by an arrogant and abusive police officer. The officer records both their details in his notebook, intending to prosecute them severely. However, once they continue their journey, the hitchhiker reveals himself to be a "fingersmith"—a highly skilled pickpocket. He demonstrates his expertise by revealing he has stolen the narrator’s watch and belt without him noticing—and, crucially, both of the policeman’s notebooks. The story concludes with the two men pulling off the road to burn the evidence. Key Themes and Analysis
Abuse of Authority: Dahl highlights the arrogance of the law through the motorcycle cop, who uses his position to intimidate rather than protect.
The Value of Skilled Trades: Both characters take pride in their "trades"—one as a writer and the other as a pickpocket. The hitchhiker considers himself an artist, advocating for being "very, very good" at what you do.
Appearance vs. Reality: The narrator initially judges the hitchhiker based on his rough appearance, only to find him to be a skilled and ultimately helpful companion. Finding "The Hitchhiker" by Roald Dahl PDF
For those looking to read the full text, several educational and digital platforms offer the story for academic or personal study:
The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl: A Journey Through the Unlikely
Roald Dahl, a master of weaving the extraordinary from the ordinary, presents us with "The Hitchhiker," a short story that is as much about the unpredictability of life as it is about the quirks of human nature. This guide aims to navigate through the themes, characters, and the peculiar charm of "The Hitchhiker," inviting readers into a world where the mundane and the bizarre blend seamlessly.