- description
- # CHAPTER LIII. SEAFARING PERSONS PECULIARLY SUBJECT TO BEING UNDER THE WEATHER.—THE EFFECTS OF THIS UPON A MAN-OF-WAR CAPTAIN.
## Overview
This is chapter LIII of the novel *White-Jacket*. It was extracted from the file `white_jacket.txt` and is part of the collection "Melville Complete Works". The chapter covers lines 8519 to 8629 of the source text.
## Context
This chapter follows "CHAPTER LII. SOMETHING CONCERNING MIDSHIPMEN." and precedes "CHAPTER LIV. “THE PEOPLE” ARE GIVEN “LIBERTY.”" The novel *White-Jacket*, by Herman Melville, was published in 1850 and draws on Melville's experiences in the U.S. Navy. This chapter discusses the psychological effects of long sea voyages and confined living conditions on naval personnel, including officers, and how these can influence their behavior and decisions, particularly regarding discipline.
## Contents
Chapter LIII explores how the unique environment of a man-of-war can affect the temperament of its crew and officers. It suggests that prolonged periods at sea, especially with adverse weather or calms, can lead to introspection and a morbid state of mind. The chapter specifically examines how this can indirectly influence a captain's decisions, potentially leading to harsher punishments for seamen. It illustrates this with an anecdote about a sailor named Candy, who believes the captain is punishing him not for his own actions, but because the captain mistakenly thinks Candy was mocking him. The chapter highlights the interconnectedness of the crew's well-being and the captain's mood and perceptions.
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- 2026-01-30T20:49:50.653Z
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- CHAPTER LIII. SEAFARING PERSONS PECULIARLY SUBJECT TO BEING UNDER THE WEATHER.—THE EFFECTS OF THIS UPON A MAN-OF-WAR CAPTAIN.
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- 8629
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- 2026-01-30T20:47:39.667Z
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- 8519
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- title
- CHAPTER LIII.
SEAFARING PERSONS PECULIARLY SUBJECT TO BEING UNDER THE WEATHER.—THE
EFFECTS OF THIS UPON A MAN-OF-WAR CAPTAIN.