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The Secret Sharer

by Joseph Conrad

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Student Question

Why does the narrator in "The Secret Sharer" refer to Leggatt as "my other self"?

Quick answer:

The narrator calls Leggatt "my other self" because he sees him as an alter ego, embodying qualities the captain lacks but desires. As a young, inexperienced leader, the captain identifies with Leggatt, who has taken decisive, albeit morally ambiguous, actions. This connection helps the captain gain self-definition and become a stronger leader, despite the risks of instability. The relationship is complex, reflecting both admiration and internal conflict.

Expert Answers

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The narrator is referring to Leggatt as his alter ego--everything he wishes he could be but is not.  The captain is only 27-years old, a young man to be in charge of men who are older and much more experienced than himself. The captain identifies with Leggatt, and through this identification he achieves a greater self-definition. The exact nature of the connection between the captain and Leggatt, however, is not clear. Leggatt has killed a man and is fleeing to escape punishment, but he may have committed this act in order to save his fellow crewmembers from danger. Through Leggatt, the captain becomes a stronger and more aggressive leader, but he also shows signs of instability.

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