Humphryes Changes

Humphrey's Changes

In The Sea-Wolf, Jack London portrays how a change of environment can affect a character's life. Humphrey Van Weyden, a gentleman and book critic, has inherited his father's money and lives in a nice home. He has people do things like cooking and cleaning for him. While taking a trip on a ferry-steamer, they encounter thick fog in San Francisco Bay, and the Martinez crashes and sinks. When a ship named the Ghost picks him up and Humphrey asks if the ship will take him back to San Francisco, Wolf Larsen, the ship's captain, demands that Humphrey become the cabin boy. Humphrey protests to no avail.

During the novel, Humphrey sees many violent and corrupt events take place. When he first gets on the boat, he sees Larsen's speed and strength when he leaps six feet and punches the sailor, Leach, in the stomach. Later Humphrey, also known as Hump, sees another sailor, Harrison, almost die when he is on the halyards. When Hump has discussions with Wolf Larsen, on two occasions he almost kills Hump. In fact, many fights occur on the Ghost, and few members of the crew are able to stand up to Larsen.

These events make Hump become less of a gentle person and more likely to give in to his violent nature. He doesn't condone violence, but at some points, he does enjoy watching men like Cooky get beaten. Hump becomes stronger physically because of all the work he does on the ship. He also becomes stronger mentally, by talking with Wolf Larsen about the value of life and other philosophical issues.

As time passes, Hump learns to stand up for himself against people like Wolf and Cooky. After Cooky threatens Hump with a knife, Hump finds his own weapon and begins to sharpen it in front of the cook, trying to show that he is not afraid.

Eventually, when Cooky backs down, Hump realizes that he does have courage.

When Maud Brewster comes onto the scene after being picked up by the Ghost, she also makes an interesting impact on Humphrey. He has not seen a woman since he left San Francisco, and with Maud he remembers his manners and tries to make her as comfortable as possible. At one point, when Wolf attacks Maud, Humphrey threatens to kill him. Maud begs him not to, and Humphrey obeys Maud. This woman brings out a softness in Humphrey. Maud is the first person he loves, and he is willing to do anything

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