The Sea-Wolf

To escape from Endeavor Island, Humphrey undertakes extensive repairs of the Ghost, symbolizing his assimilation of the practical knowledge he’s gained under Larsen’s command with the education he received as a wealthy gentleman. He combines his knowledge of physics and book learning with the teachings of the Ghost’s crew. In effect, the ship’s restoration signifies a transcendence of the division of labor that socially classifies (and stratifies) much of Humphrey’s society—and it is part of an extended metaphor that the ship is also the vessel for Humphrey’s return to community. In the context of Humphrey’s character arc, the restoration also symbolizes his triumphant self-reliance and identity formation.

The reader never learns captain Wolf Larsen’s given name; throughout the entire narrative, Humphrey and the rest of the characters only know him as “Wolf.” As Louis explains to Humphrey, Larsen gained this name through his cold-blooded and brutal reputation. Larsen’s name “wolf” symbolizes the full nature of his character. Larsen assumes a commanding, pack-leader position as captain of the Ghost, and he thrives in the competitive natural setting of sailing across the Pacific Ocean.