Leggatt As An Independent Character Essay Research

Leggatt As An Independent Character Essay, Research Paper

Leggatt as an Independent Character

in Joseph Conrad’s “The Secret Sharer”

This essay examines Leggatt as an independent person, rather than as a

symbol connected to the captain-narrator, a view shared by many critics.

Leggatt is not a negative influence on the captain per se. From an

objective point of view, it can be seen that Leggatt’s portrayal depends

entirely on how the captain (as narrator) perceives him, and that he

deserves to be treated as the individual being that he is.

Many of Conrad’s critics, most notably Albert J. Guerard , Robert W.

Stallmann , have taken the view that Leggatt, of the novella “The Secret

Sharer,” is either some sort of symbol of the captain’s dark side, a

kind of role model for the captain, or that he is part of the captain.

In this essay I will first examine the captain’s portrayal of Leggatt,

then argue that Leggatt is none of these, rather, he is a complete

person in and of himself, and not simply part of the captain’s

personality deficiencies.

At first glance it would seem that Leggatt is either the antagonist or

provides a criminal influence on the captain. By no means are Leggatt’s

decisions and actions exemplary. Murdering mutinous crew members is

hardly an acceptable practice, and avoiding justice, and one’s

punishment all of which Leggatt do only worsen the issue. The captain

claims that in swimming to the island Koh-ring, his double had “lowered

himself into the water to take his punishment” (Conrad 193). However, as

Cedric Watts argues, this is only true because Leggatt, by escaping

justice, will face an uncertain future marooned on an island (134). In

reality, Leggatt is doing the opposite; he is lowering himself into the

water to escape from the law, for it is unlikely that he would get off

scot-free in court. The captain describes Koh-ring as “a towering black

mass like the very gateway of Erebus,” (Conrad 193) Erebus being the

cavern through which the souls of the dead entered Hades’ world (Watts

134).

Leggatt and the captain discover soon after they first meet that they

are both “Conway boys,” that is, as cadets, they served as crew on the

training-ship the Conway, which is moored in the Mersey at Liverpool

(Conrad 146). In this novel, the Conway serves as “a universal letter of

credit” (Burgess 115). Leggatt and the captain’s bond becomes stronger

once they learn that they share a common training background.

Conway boys are taught the importance of fierce loyalty toward one’s

ship (Batchelor 187). Leggatt demonstrates his loyalty by risking his

life in order to save his ship, the Sephora, from sinking by setting the

foresail. Ironically, the captain’s loyalties lie with Leggatt, rather

than his ship, as he risks his ship and crew to ensure Leggatt’s safe

marooning at Koh-ring. The fact that the captain is so ready to ally

himself with Leggatt indicates that perhaps the captain is not as

qualified for his command as he should be. Further, this observation

introduces the captain as untrustworthy; his judgment must be flawed if

his primary allegiance is for Leggatt, rather than the ship entrusted to

his command. This flawed judgment extends to the captain’s perception

of, and subsequent portrayal of Leggatt, as we shall see.

Nevertheless, many critics claim that, although Leggatt may not be a

symbol of the dark side of the captain, he is a criminal influence for

the captain. The basis for the main argument for Leggatt as a criminal

influence is that he brings about situations in which the captain risks

his career, crew, ship, and life. However, Leggatt is not responsible

for the captain’s behavior. During the course of the novella, the

captain always retains the power to choose his actions and to make his

own decisions. The dark characterization of Leggatt comes from the

captain’s perspective and portrayal of Leggatt.

The captain is an alienated man. At the very beginning of the novel, he

comments a few times that he is the only stranger on board his ship:

“…my position was that of the only stranger on board….But what I

felt most was my being a stranger to the ship, and if all the truth must

be told, I was somewhat of a stranger to myself” (Conrad 137-138). At

this point in the story, the reader first recognizes that the captain as

unsteady in his new command, but as having good intentions. He keeps

anchor watch one night, to the astonishment of his crew, as a gesture of

benevolence (Conrad 139). However, this attempt toward friendliness

serves to alienate the captain even further since his crew is so taken

aback by his actions. The captain needs to show leadership in order to

gain respect from and get to know his crew. However, the captain is so

inexperienced that he does not really have a con

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