Irresponsibly Responsible

One of the discussion questions for The Secret Sharer brings up the question of whether or not the captain was right in protecting Leggatt and whether or not the captain violated his responsibility as the leader of his ship.  I believe that the captain acted extremely irresponsibly, letting an admitted murderer onto his ship and endangering his ship and crew in order to let the aforementioned criminal escape. For me however, it is difficult to judgethe captains actions looking at just these facts. The captain, who felt alone and isolated within his crew felt an instant connection to Leggatt, and I believe it was this feeling of loneliness that brought him to let Leggatt onto the ship in the first place. Although he violatedthe responsibility he has to his crew, the captain fulfilled his own needs, which is in turn part of his responsibility to take care of himself.  If the captain felt alone, weak, and isolated, can he really do his job effectively? By allowing Leggatt to come onto the ship and thus making himself feel more confident is he actually improving his ability to lead? Could that make him a better captain?

Comments

[Hannah M.]

This is a very interesting observation! You bring up a good point -- Leggatt definitely impacted the captain's ability to lead. But it's hard to tell if he ultimately helped or hurt.

Personally, I can't hold it against the captain. He had unfulfilled emotional needs. After meeting Leggatt, he felt a taste of friendship, a genuine connection. If he had kicked Leggatt off the ship, his lonliness would return, plus a little extra. And he would still be preoccupied with Leggatt, thinking about their encounter and wondering if he's okay.

[Alicia H.]

I totally agree with all of your thoughts on this. It seems that he had to BREAK the law to BE the law.
And his loneliness as a motive does help the reader to sympathize with his choices.