The Sea-Wolf Study Guide

In 1893, Humphrey "Hump" Van Weyden is aboard a ferry that is involved in a collision. Hump is cast into the ocean and swept out to sea but rescued by a passing seal ship. Hump's request to be returned to land is ignored by the cruel Captain Larsen, who counts Hump as one of the crew. The seal ship proceeds across the Pacific Ocean while the self-educated Larsen tyrannizes the crew and engages in lengthy philosophical discussions with the bookish Hump. The crew reaches the seal grounds and begins a grim harvest. Then another lifeboat is found, and the crew rescues four men and Maud Brewster, whose ship had lately foundered in a gale. Larsen views the lovely Brewster somewhat as a trophy and rejects her request to be put ashore. Instead, the seal hunt continues even as Hump falls ... (read more)