The Sea-Wolf

Main Ideas

• Struggle for survival: The main character, Humphrey Van Weyden, ends up on a whaling ship and faces the harsh conditions of life at sea, where he must fight to survive.
• Conflict between individuality and fate: Van Weyden encounters Captain Wolf Larsen, who embodies the power and cruelty of nature, and is forced to confront his philosophy and worldview.
• Philosophical reflections: The book raises questions about the meaning of life, morality, human nature, and free will through dialogues between Van Weyden and Larsen.
• Character evolution: Van Weyden transforms from an intellectual and weak man into a strong and decisive individual, showcasing his inner growth and change under extreme conditions.
• Morality and amorality: The contrast between Van Weyden's moral principles and Larsen's amoral behavior, who lives by the laws of strength and survival of the fittest.