The Sea-Wolf Questions and Answers
The Sea-Wolf
What happens to Johansen in Chapter 14 of The Sea-Wolf? Did Wolf Larsen kill him?
In Chapter 14, Johansen disappears after a confrontation with Wolf Larsen, who returns on board with a head wound after falling overboard. It is implied that both went overboard following a struggle,...
The Sea-Wolf
In The Sea-Wolf, what disease does Wolf Larsen have?
In Jack London's The Sea-Wolf, Wolf Larsen suffers from brain tumors, which cause severe headaches, paralysis, and eventual blindness. The tumors lead to a debilitating stroke, affecting Larsen's...
The Sea-Wolf
What are the themes in "The Sea-Wolf"?
"The Sea-Wolf" explores themes such as the dichotomy between civilization and the wild, questioning moral behavior, and the nature of individualism versus cooperation. The protagonist, Van Weyden,...
The Sea-Wolf
In The Sea-Wolf, what does Wolf compare life to?
In Jack London's The Sea-Wolf, Wolf Larsen compares life to a "mess," "yeast," and "ferment," emphasizing its chaotic, aimless nature. He believes life is driven by survival instincts, where the...
The Sea-Wolf
Why does Wolf Larsen call the narrator "hump" in chapter 4 of The Sea-Wolf?
In chapter 4, Wolf Larsen calls the narrator "Hump" as a derogatory nickname derived from his full name, Humphrey van Weyden. This serves to humiliate him and emphasize his low status aboard the...
The Sea-Wolf
According to the main characters in The Sea-Wolf, how should life be lived?
The two main characters in The Sea-Wolf by Jack London have widely differing viewpoints about how life should be lived. Humphrey van Weyden believes that humans have eternal souls and that life...
The Sea-Wolf
In Jack London's The Sea Wolf, how could Wolf Larsen's egotism be interpreted as nobility?
Wolf Larsen's egotism in Jack London's novel can be interpreted as nobility in a Nietzschean sense. His self-determination, intellectual courage, and willingness to challenge societal norms and...
The Sea-Wolf
What is the role of women in The Sea-Wolf?
The role of women in the book can be seen in the character Maud. She softens the harsh masculinity that had characterized the story up until the time of her arrival. She and Humphrey fall in love,...
The Sea-Wolf
Why does Hump think Wolf Larsen is "not immoral, but merely unmoral" in Chapter 10 of The Sea-Wolf?
Hump considers Wolf Larsen "not immoral, but merely unmoral" because Larsen lacks a conscience and a moral upbringing. He operates solely on his own desires for wealth without recognizing any...
The Sea-Wolf
What is the setting in "The Sea-Wolf"?
The setting of "The Sea-Wolf" is primarily at sea in the Pacific Ocean. The protagonist, Humphrey van Weyden, starts on a San Francisco ferry that crashes, leading him to be rescued by the fishing...
The Sea-Wolf
Why is the narrator interested in the "division of labor" in Chapter 1 of The Sea-Wolf?
The narrator, Humphrey van Weyden, appreciates the "division of labor" because it allows him to focus on his strengths, such as writing, without having to learn navigation or other skills necessary...
The Sea-Wolf
What is the main argument in Jack London's The Sea-Wolf?
The main argument in Jack London's The Sea-Wolf explores the clash between opposing worldviews through its characters. Humphrey "Hump" van Weyden embodies idealism, believing in inherent goodness,...