"The Hitchhiker" by Roald Dahl is a captivating short story that explores themes of social class, the value of skilled trades, and the subversion of authority. Originally published in 1977 in the Atlantic Monthly and later included in the collection The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More, it stands as a masterclass in subverting reader expectations. Plot Summary
Roald Dahl was the king of the twist ending, and this story features one of his best. The moment the hitchhiker reveals the policeman’s notebook is pure literary magic. It recontextualizes the entire car ride. The cop wasn’t the predator; the little man in the linen jacket was.
If you are a teacher who found this article via a search for "The Hitchhiker by Roald Dahl pdf" to print for a class, consider these lesson plan ideas:
If you're interested in reading "The Hitchhiker" by Roald Dahl, you can easily find PDF versions online through various sources, including: