Genre
psychological adventure novel
Language
English
Setting and Context
1893, Pacific Ocean
Narrator and Point of View
first person narration, the narrator is Humphrey Van Weyden
Tone and Mood
The novel is very enigmatic and philosophical. It is filled with metaphors, philosophical sayings and secrets. But still, it is realistic; it is about real life of sailors and other people which we meet in the book.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Humphrey van Weyden (protagonist) vs. Wolf Larsen (antagonist)
Major Conflict
Major conflict appears when Humphrey get on the ship to Larsen. Since this time there is constant conflict between them and between Humphrey and different sailors from that ship.
Climax
The climax happens when some of the ship staff organize a mutiny against the Captain Larsen.
Foreshadowing
The whole book is filled with philosophical statements about life, love, other values. It teaches us not to lost a hope and kindness despite anything. Regardless, there is a lot of cruelty and dark irony in the story; behind it is hidden deeper thought and a reader must endeavor to to find it.
Understatement
Life was quite understated by Wolf Larsen
Allusions
Shakespeare, Dante, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Leviathan
Imagery
See the imagery section
Paradox
Paradox consists in the fact, that Wolf Larsen was very ill, but he still was very strong physically and mentally.
Parallelism
With developing of the story, is happening developing and upgrading of the soul and inner world of Humphrey
Personification
N/A
Use of Dramatic Devices
The ocean is personified in self-efficacious force that covers everything and everyone and change all.
