Document Type
Sophomore Award Winner
Award Date
Fall 2013
Course Name
Literary Explorations I
Teacher
Margaret Cain
Abstract
In The Sea Wolf by Jack London, Humphrey Van Weyden is an American upper class gentleman on a ferry-steamer, but a collision almost drowns him in the sea. He is rescued by Wolf Larsen, the captain of a seal-hunting schooner named the Ghost. Forced to serve Wolf, Humphrey witnesses how Wolf treats his crew carelessly, for the Captain believes in Materialism, where life is only matter and has no value to others. Humphrey, on the other hand, argues for Idealism, the belief in spiritual values that transcend life such as love and honor. Although Wolf initially dominates the weak Humphrey, London showed his bias toward Idealism by portraying Humphrey as the victorious survivor.
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Tina '16, "The Conflict between Materialism and Idealism" (2013). 2013 Fall Semester. 4.
https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/fall2013/4