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What is Captains Courageous about?

A spoiled millionaire’s son falls overboard from an ocean liner and is hauled aboard a fishing schooner, where a season of hard labor on the Grand Banks makes a man of him — Kipling’s rousing tale of the sea.

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  1. 1The Fall from Privilege
  2. 2Lessons from the Sea
  3. 3Friendship and Brotherhood
  4. 4Facing Adversity
  5. 5The Transformation of Harvey
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Notable quotes

“The weather door of the smoking-room had been left open to the North Atlantic fog, as the big liner rolled and lifted, whistling to warn the fishing-fleet.”
“That boy gets two hundred a month pocket-money, he told me.”
“When Dad kerflummoxes that way, said Dan in a whisper, he's doin' some high-line thinkin' fer all hands.”

A glimpse inside

Illustration from Captains Courageous
The Fall from Privilege

Harvey Cheyne's character is introduced as a spoiled, arrogant boy who embodies the excesses of wealth. His life revolves around luxury and privilege, with little underst…

Lessons from the Sea

As Harvey spends time aboard the We're Here, he begins to learn the value of hard work and camaraderie. The fishermen, led by Disko Troop, embody a rugged dignity and a s…

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About the author

Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling has 3 works free to read on Lumina, including Kim, The Jungle Book.

All 3 books by Rudyard Kipling →

Frequently asked

Yes — the complete text of Captains Courageous is free to read online, with no account and no ads. The 8-minute Big-ideas summary and audio narration are unlocked too.

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