Harvey Cheyne Quotes

Character Analysis
Harvey Cheyne is the only major character in Captains Courageous. Harvey Cheyne is another rich, spoiled kid that lives freely who learns the meaning of hard work when unfortunate circumstances cause him to be stranded on a schooner for a few months. The disrespectful teenager quickly becomes furious with Disko Troop, the boat’s captain, as the two diverse
personalities collided. Harvey asked, “ ‘Do you suppose I’d fall overboard into your dirty little boat for fun?’ ” (Kipling 15). From this sassy question, Kipling makes Harvey seem like an annoying rich kid that is difficult to sympathize for. Surprisingly, Harvey quickly realizes that being snobbish to the captain is a bad idea. He visits Disko to say, “ ‘So I’m

here to say sorry.’ Another big gulp” (Kipling 24). Although Harvey is reluctant to apologize, Kipling has him apologize so that he settles with the rest of the crew, and the story can progress. Although Harvey is far from humble and charitable, Kipling wanted to show this momentous occasion as a first step for Harvey on his path to change his character.
Harvey realizes in the third chapter that he will have to get accustomed to his new lifestyle for the next few months.

After his shipmate whipped him for walking slowly, Harvey’s initial reaction to fire back was rejected by his better judgement. He realized that his “fine, resolute temper that systematic spoiling had nearly turned to mulish obstinacy” would only create more problems for him (Kipling 51). This quote shows that though Harvey is not used to severe punishment, he realizes that the orders given out should be obeyed. Harvey realizes that if he wants to return home safely, he will need to cooperate with the people aboard the We’re Here. “With Disko, Harvey took no liberties; not even when the old man dropped direct orders, and treated him, like the rest of the crew,” to chores (Kipling 82). Although it has been suggested due to his proper education and skill with numbers, Harvey proves that he is one of the wiser characters in the story for adapting to his

surroundings.
After the We’re Here meets up with the other ships, Dan buys a nice knife that used to belong to a man who recently died. The knife was so cheap because the Catholics were afraid of taking a dead man’s property. However, Harvey thought, “ ‘But an auction ain’t taking anythink off a dead man. It’s business’ ” (Kipling 118). His decision to keep the knife would be typically
regarded as poor, especially by Catholics, who would disagree with Harvey’s ethical stance.

As the crew finally reaches the shore, Harvey “sobbed and sobbed as though his heart would break,” showing that the smarter, stronger teen is still susceptible to a need for his family’s adoration (Kipling 126-127). This point signalizes the conclusion of Harvey’s struggle, and he is emotional about the end of his experience. He sees Dan and Disko Troop returning to Mrs. Troop, which causes Harvey to long for his own family. This demonstrates a huge difference from the carefree kid who cared little for his parents to a hard-working young man who realizes how important his family is to him. Once his family finds him, Harvey’s father learns about Disko’s rough treatment of Harvey, but instead of being upset, Cheyne says, “ ‘It probably did him more good than anything else in the world’ ” (Kipling 145). Kipling points out that although it is not conventional, an upbringing like the one Disko gave Harvey is often necessary to shape a teenager into a man. The characters all express similar ethical beliefs, especially the Cheyne’s who are happy that Harvey

improved.
The most compelling scene in the story was the reformation of the Cheyne family, as Harvey showed his change of character to his parents. The members of the We’re Here finally acknowledge that Harvey has always been honest to them regarding his family’s wealth, and the scene is very enlightening overall, as the story draws to a close. The worst scene in this novel takes place in Chapter 9, as the backstory for Harvey’s father goes on too long, and most of the details are completely irrelevant and add little depth to the main story.
Harvey Cheyne is a standard, yet compelling character that can easily entertain readers. Being a dynamic character, Harvey eventually learns that his old way of living was unsuitable, so he becomes a diligent, responsible young man. Although there was no single, major conflict Harvey had to overcome, his transformation is very heartwarming to read about.

Conclusion
Joseph Rudyard Kipling’s self-proclaimed boy’s story detailed a kid at sea becoming a man on shore. Kipling was at the peak of his happiness when he wrote this novel, as he had a wife, kids, and a successful career. Perhaps as he became more involved with his young children, his writing style became focused on and geared to children. The adventure is easy to follow and the protagonist is youthful and capable. The main theme that underlies Harvey’s transformation, is one that Kipling undoubtedly wanted his young readers to learn. However, Kipling may have lost kids along the way with tobacco references and the usage of uncommon nautical jargon, so Kipling’s intended audience may never be known.
The book’s ending is very solid and happy, yet Harvey’s own story does not end perfectly. He finds his job, and his friend works for him, like the cook predicted. Kipling likely wanted to end the novel with a general sense of closure, as the audience can feel satisfied with Harvey and Dan appearing content and the prophecy being fulfilled. However, the futures of the rest of the We’re Here’s crew is left undetermined, perhaps showing their lack of individual importance. Although it would be very unlikely, Kipling writing a sequel to Captains Courageous would not have been impossible. However, constant tragedies in Kipling’s life likely prevented him from feeling the happiness he felt while writing this book. This explains why Kipling did not continue to publish books that had a similar tone to that of Captains Courageous. If the events that occurred in Kipling’s personal life happened at different times, Captains Courageous may have not been written, or perhaps it would have ended with more death and Harvey becoming unsuccessful. Although the novel is never referred to as a meaningful book, there is enough meaning behind a story that details a young man’s improvement and bright future that is invaluable to any young reader.