Critical Analysis: "Captains Courageous" by Rudyar
Critical Analysis: "Captains Courageous" by Rudyard Kipling
Captains Courageous was written by Rudyard Kipling near the end of the late 1890s. The story takes place on the Grand Banks off the east coast and stars a spoiled rich boy named Harvey Cheyne. Harvey Cheyne was the son of a millionaire father and an over-caring mother. Harvey’s father was in the railroad business and owned many railroads across the United States; due to this, Harvey and his family owned homes in approximately five states including New York.
The story starts off in a big-liner (a large boat), and in that in that boat are a group of men discussing about Harvey and his background. In general, these men do not like Harvey. As the men are talking, Harvey walks into the room. Harvey is on the boat with his mother; they are both traveling to Europe so Harvey can receive an education. Harvey starts bragging to the men that he as only been sick once this whole trip. Once he starts talking his cigarette goes out. He then asks the men if they happen to have any real Turkish cigarettes on them. One German man comes out from the corner and offers a “stogie”; Harvey does not believe that will cure his craving. Harvey takes one puff of the “stogie” and becomes sick. Harvey stumbles out the door onto the main deck. Harvey leans off the railing and accidentally falls off without his mother knowing.
Nearby, a Gloucester fishing boat just beginning a three-month trip spots Harvey floating in the water. The We’re Here sends out one of their crew members, named Manuel to rescue Harvey. Harvey wakes from his unconsciousness to find himself in a small room where he is unfamiliar with the surroundings. He looks across the room to see a boy, nearly the same age, named Dan. Dan introduces himself and turns out to be the son of the captain of the We’re Here. Harvey is no longer on the liner; he’s on the We’re Here. Dan exclaims to Harvey that he is wanted on the deck by Dan’s father, Disko. Harvey has never been ordered to do anything in his lifetime and asks that Disko come to him. Dan is surprised and gets Harvey to finally go. On the deck, Disko tells Harvey that they will not go back to shore until the three months of their fishing trip...