Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Sea-Wolf, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Self-Reliance and Maturation
Materialism vs. Idealism
Survival of the Fittest
Love, Duty, and Choice
Summary
Analysis
Leach, Johnson, and the other mutinying sailors wonder what to do next now that Wolf Larsen got away. A messenger arrives, announcing that Wolf Larsen wants to see Van Weyden in the captain’s quarters. Van Weyden agrees to come. He finds that Wolf Larsen is naked and expecting Van Weyden to treat his wounds.
Wolf Larsen’s nakedness reflects his new vulnerability. He has just been injured, first by a head wound, then by a mutinying mob, and now the famously self-reliant captain needs help to have his wounds treated.
Themes
Van Weyden marvels at Wolf Larsen’s muscular body and says God made him well, but Wolf Larsen argues that the only explanation for his strength is its usefulness. Then, he announces that he needs a new mate and that Van Weyden is getting a promotion. Van Weyden tries to protest, but Wolf Larsen’s mind seems made up.
