Captains Courageous
Summary
Captains Courageous is a classic Rudyard Kipling tale of adventure, transformation, and coming-of-age. Set against the backdrop of the North Atlantic fishing industry, this 1897 novel follows the journey of Harvey Cheyne Jr., a spoiled millionaire's son who finds himself thrust into the rugged world of commercial fishing. The book's enduring popularity has led to several adaptations, including the famous 1937 film starring Spencer Tracy, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.
Plot
In Captains Courageous, 15-year-old Harvey Cheyne Jr., the spoiled son of a wealthy railroad tycoon, falls overboard from a luxury liner in the North Atlantic. He's rescued by a Portuguese fisherman and brought aboard the fishing schooner We're Here. Unable to convince the crew of his wealth or persuade them to take him to port quickly, Harvey is forced to join the crew for the fishing season.
Initially resentful, Harvey gradually adapts to life at sea under the guidance of the captain's son, Dan Troop. Through a series of trials and adventures, Harvey learns valuable skills and becomes an integral part of the crew, even managing the ship's catch accounts. The novel vividly depicts the cod fishery's daily life, weaving in tales of New England whaling and 19th-century maritime practices.
After the fishing season ends, We're Here returns to port in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Harvey contacts his parents, who rush to retrieve him. They're astounded by their son's newfound maturity and independence. As a gesture of gratitude, they reward Manuel, the fisherman who initially saved Harvey. The story concludes with Harvey's father offering Dan a position in his prestigious tea clipper fleet, while Harvey prepares to attend Stanford University, poised to eventually take over his father's shipping business.
Themes
• Coming of age and personal growth
• Value of hard work and responsibility
• Class differences and social mobility
• The power of mentorship and friendship
• Maritime life and fishing industry
• Contrast between privilege and self-reliance
• Transformation from arrogance to humility
Setting
Set during America's Gilded Age in the late 1800s, Captains Courageous unfolds primarily on the high seas of the North Atlantic. The story begins on a luxury ocean liner crossing the Atlantic, but quickly shifts to the rugged environment of a New England fishing schooner.
The Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland serve as the main backdrop for much of the novel. This area, known for its rich fishing grounds, provides a stark contrast to the privileged world the protagonist leaves behind. The harsh realities of life at sea and the demanding work of commercial fishing in the late 19th century are vividly portrayed.
While most of the action takes place at sea, the story also touches on coastal New England, particularly the fishing town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. This setting reflects the importance of the fishing industry to the region during this era. The novel concludes with a cross-country journey from California to Boston, highlighting the vast expanse of the United States and the technological advancements in transportation of the time.
Characters
• Harvey Cheyne Jr.: The spoiled 15-year-old son of a wealthy railroad tycoon who falls overboard and is rescued by a fishing boat. He undergoes a transformative journey, learning the value of hard work and humility.
• Disko Troop: The stern but fair-minded captain of the fishing schooner We're Here. He takes Harvey in and teaches him the ways of life at sea.
• Dan Troop: Disko's son and Harvey's friend on the ship. He helps Harvey adapt to life as a fisherman and becomes a close companion.
• Manuel Fidello: A Portuguese fisherman who initially rescues Harvey from drowning. He serves as a mentor to Harvey during his time on the We're Here.
• Long Jack: An experienced Irish fisherman on the We're Here who contributes to Harvey's education in seamanship.
• Tom Platt: A veteran sailor on the We're Here who shares tales of his experiences in the Navy with Harvey and the crew.
• Mr. Cheyne: Harvey's father, a wealthy and powerful railroad magnate who searches for his son after his disappearance.
• Mrs. Cheyne: Harvey's mother, who accompanies her husband in the search for their son.
Quick facts
• Captains Courageous is Rudyard Kipling's only novel set entirely in North America.
• The book's title comes from the ballad “Mary Ambree," which starts “Then captains courageous, whom death could not daunt.”
• Rudyard Kipling wrote the novel while living in Brattleboro, Vermont.
• Captains Courageous was originally published as a serial in McClure's Magazine from November 1896 to May 1897.
• Teddy Roosevelt praised the book in his 1900 essay, “What We Can Expect of the American Boy."
• The detailed account of the Cheynes' cross-country train journey is considered a classic of railway literature.
• Kipling received help on fishing details from his friend Dr. James Conland, who had served in the Gloucester fishing fleet.
• A railway magnate provided Kipling with a detailed timetable to ensure accuracy in describing the cross-country train trip.
• The character Disko Troop is named after Disko Island off the west coast of Greenland.
• Captains Courageous has been adapted into three films—in 1937 (with Spencer Tracy as Manuel Fidello), 1977, and 1996—as well as a 1999 Off-Broadway musical.
About the author
Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was a renowned English author and poet. He is most famous for The Jungle Book (1894), a collection of stories featuring now iconic animal characters such as Shere Khan the Tiger and Baloo the Bear. He is also well known for his novels Kim and Captains Courageous and his poems “Gunga Din" and “If—.”
Born in Bombay, Kipling spent his early childhood in India before being sent to England for his education, an experience that would deeply influence his writing. He returned to India as a young man to work as a journalist and while there, began writing short stories and poems. His works often focused on life in colonial British India, earning him a reputation as the “poet of empire." In 1907, he became the first English-language writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature at the age of 41.
Kipling's influence can still be seen in popular culture. The Jungle Book, in particular, has inspired numerous screen adaptations, including five Disney movies—from the beloved 1967 animated classic to the groundbreaking 2016 rendition combining live-action with CGI—and a Japanese anime series, spanning 52 episodes, that debuted in 1989. “If—” was voted Britain's favorite poem in a 1995 BBC poll. Kipling spent his later years in England, continuing to write until shortly before his death at age 70. He is buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey.