# the Captain — Poetry character guide

> the Captain in Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the captain

**First appearance:** 0043-the-angler-s-reveille

## Who they are

A military or ship captain figure, possibly allegorical.

## In the story

### [Little Boatie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/little-boatie)

Implied as the father who is 'at the deep-sea trawling' and for whom the speaker prays for safe return.

### [Hudson’s Last Voyage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/hudson-s-last-voyage)

Henry Hudson refers to himself as captain, commanding the shallop.

### [Homeward Bound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/homeward-bound)

The only one who knows the westward course, guiding the ship through hidden channels.

### [Ballad of Princeton Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/ballad-of-princeton-battle)

Implied reference to George Washington, referred to as 'our Chief' and 'Washington,' whose courage turned the tide at Princeton.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/characters/the_captain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_10_se/characters