The Thirty Nine Steps

Like other young men in the early 20th century, Hannay feels drawn to both international intrigues and industrial pursuits. Globalization is central to Richard Hannay’s experiences and the political machinations within the novel. Hannay made his living in British colonies. Though he tires of being asked about those experiences, the repetition indicates Britain’s awareness of its colonial standing after the Victorian era and before modern reforms would inspire decolonization. Hannay also utilizes skills he gained abroad, such as decoding and detonation, to survive his adventure. During that adventure, he casually interacts with several modern technologies, especially airplanes and trains, which would become more widely used during the war. Additionally, he demonstrates a casual awareness of European politics in Chapter 1 when he reads about Constantine Karolides. This awareness aids him in deciphering Scudder’s notebook and unraveling the Black Stone’s plot, leading to the climactic confrontation in Chapter 10.

The fictional Karolides is assassinated as part of the Black Stone’s destabilization efforts, which mirrors the real-life murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Though the specific entities are fictionalized, the parallel conspiracies enhance to the novel’s believability. Another real-world phenomenon reflected in the novel is the association of certain traits with different nationalities.