# Penn — Captains Courageous character guide

> Penn in Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Little Penn, little Penn, Poor Penn

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Who they are

A gentle, forgetful hand aboard the We're Here whose blank past and childlike prayers unsettle the men who cannot decide whether to pity or fear him.

## Relationships

### [Uncle Salters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/uncle_salters)

_friendship_

Penn and Uncle Salters are inseparable companions, with Salters acting as a protective, talkative guardian to the simple-minded Penn.

### [Harvey Cheyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/harvey_cheyne)

_friendship_

Harvey is kind and patient with Penn, listening to his rambling stories and showing genuine care for his gentle nature.

### [Dan Troop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/dan_troop)

_friendship_

Dan treats Penn with a mix of amusement and kindness, often humoring his odd tales.

### [Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/manuel)

_friendship_

Manuel is gentle with Penn, often singing to him and treating him with compassion.

### [Harvey Cheyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/harvey_cheyne)

_friendship_

Harvey is kind and patient with Penn, listening to his rambling stories and showing genuine care for his gentle nature.

### [Dan Troop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/dan_troop)

_friendship_

Dan treats Penn with a mix of amusement and kindness, often humoring his odd tales.

### [Uncle Salters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/uncle_salters)

_friendship_

Penn and Uncle Salters are inseparable companions, with Salters acting as a protective, talkative guardian to the simple-minded Penn.

### [Uncle Salters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/uncle_salters)

_friendship_

Penn and Uncle Salters are inseparable companions, with Salters acting as a protective, talkative guardian to the simple-minded Penn.

### [Dan Troop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/dan_troop)

_friendship_

Dan treats Penn with a mix of amusement and kindness, often humoring his odd tales.

### [Harvey Cheyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/harvey_cheyne)

_friendship_

Harvey is kind and patient with Penn, listening to his rambling stories and showing genuine care for his gentle nature.

### [Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/manuel)

_friendship_

Manuel is gentle with Penn, often singing to him and treating him with compassion.

### [Manuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/manuel)

_friendship_

Manuel is gentle with Penn, often singing to him and treating him with compassion.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/chapters/ii)

Sits at the second half table and later works in the pen with the cod.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/chapters/iii)

Reflects on Harvey's parents' grief, showing his compassionate nature.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/chapters/vii)

Briefly relapses into his traumatic past after seeing the dead man, then recovers and asks to play checkers, returning to his usual self.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters/penn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/captains_courageous_se/characters