Wolf Larsen

Wolf Larsen, the lead character, is an enigmatic sailor who seems as much a beast as a human being. He is literate and well-read, yet able to jump upon a man and kill him in an instant. Larsen is a sadistic ship’s captain who ironically has the capacity for empathy. Larsen's wild mood swings and recurrent migraine headaches are signs of his personality disorder.

Humphrey Van Weyden

Humphrey is a straight-laced passenger aboard Wolf Larsen’s ship, The Ghost, who stands in contrast to the rabid captain and his motley crew. Humphrey is viewed by the crew as something of a pantywaist, but his powers of observation and calculation sharpen as he contends with Larsen.

Maud Brewster

Maud Brewster is a passenger aboard the Ghost who is rescued from the sinking of a ferry in San Francisco Bay. She is New England prim and proper, and...