Literary Analysis of "Captain MacWhirr"
This passage from “Typhoon” outlines the character of
Captain MacWhirr. The general idea of MacWhirr’s character is one of simpleness
and obliviousness. The speaker conveys this through stressing how mind-numbingly
simple MacWhirr’s mind and actions are.
The speaker points out how little the captain cares for conversation and social interaction. His letters are filled with simple sentences that leave out emotions and personal feelings. These sentences reveal how unimaginative MacWhirr is. He gives basic responses and nothing more. If someone were to picture MacWhirr based on what his letters say, they would come up with an image of a plain man who isn’t interested in socializing. There is some information about the sea included into his letters. It is mentioned that his parents “became acquainted with a good many names of ships” and also learning “names of seas, oceans, straits”. It appears that MacWhirr might not be much of a small talker, but doesn’t mind sharing information about the sea.
MacWhirr’s interaction with his parents and their subsequent attitude towards him show how oblivious MacWhirr is. He ran away from home without even leaving a note to tell his parents where he was going. The first his parents hear from him is simply “We had very fine weather on our passage out.” There are no emotional words, just a simple statement. This is emphasizing his total lack of any concern for his parent’s feelings. It’s like it doesn’t even occur to him to think about others. MacWhirr’s father tries to get along with him, but he doesn’t even get any pleasure from joking around with his son. The general impression created by his interaction with his parents is one of obliviousness and indifference.
The speaker does mention some good things that stem from the captain’s simple-mindedness. He admires the way that MacWhirr goes after his desire to become a fisherman. MacWhirr simply makes a decision and calmly runs away without making a big deal out of it. He wants to fish, so he went out and did just that. In that respect the speaker admires MacWhirr. He lacks the imagination to worry about failure, which gives him a kind of oblivious courage.
The speaker points out how little the captain cares for conversation and social interaction. His letters are filled with simple sentences that leave out emotions and personal feelings. These sentences reveal how unimaginative MacWhirr is. He gives basic responses and nothing more. If someone were to picture MacWhirr based on what his letters say, they would come up with an image of a plain man who isn’t interested in socializing. There is some information about the sea included into his letters. It is mentioned that his parents “became acquainted with a good many names of ships” and also learning “names of seas, oceans, straits”. It appears that MacWhirr might not be much of a small talker, but doesn’t mind sharing information about the sea.
MacWhirr’s interaction with his parents and their subsequent attitude towards him show how oblivious MacWhirr is. He ran away from home without even leaving a note to tell his parents where he was going. The first his parents hear from him is simply “We had very fine weather on our passage out.” There are no emotional words, just a simple statement. This is emphasizing his total lack of any concern for his parent’s feelings. It’s like it doesn’t even occur to him to think about others. MacWhirr’s father tries to get along with him, but he doesn’t even get any pleasure from joking around with his son. The general impression created by his interaction with his parents is one of obliviousness and indifference.
The speaker does mention some good things that stem from the captain’s simple-mindedness. He admires the way that MacWhirr goes after his desire to become a fisherman. MacWhirr simply makes a decision and calmly runs away without making a big deal out of it. He wants to fish, so he went out and did just that. In that respect the speaker admires MacWhirr. He lacks the imagination to worry about failure, which gives him a kind of oblivious courage.