The Adventures of Captain Hatteras · Character

Pen

Mutinous sailor who challenges Hatteras's authority.

minor

Also known as Captain Penny, devil Pen, the Englishman Penny

First appearance: The First Signs of Mutiny

Pen's tie to John Hatteras is one of the pressures that moves The Adventures of Captain Hatteras—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Brutal sailor who tries to kick the dog, slips, and cuts his head badly, adding to the crew's superstition.

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With John Hatteras (rivalry): Pen is a mutinous sailor who openly defies Hatteras, leading to a hostile and violent rivalry. With John Hatteras (rivalry): Pen is a mutinous sailor who openly defies Hatteras, leading to…

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See Pen in The First Signs of Mutiny

Character Web

30 connections

A slice of how Pen sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Forward Crew & Mutineers
Historical & External Figures
Protagonist

+25 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the survivors, reduced to starvation and utter despair after…

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Relationships

John Hatteras
rivalry · negative
Pen is a mutinous sailor who openly defies Hatteras, leading to a hostile and violent… How this plays out →
John Hatteras
rivalry · negative
Pen is a mutinous sailor who openly defies Hatteras, leading to a hostile and violent… How this plays out →
John Hatteras
rivalry · negative
Pen is a mutinous sailor who openly defies Hatteras, leading to a hostile and violent… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Pen in The First Signs of Mutiny

In the story

Pen appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Dog-Captain
Brutal sailor who tries to kick the dog, slips, and cuts his head badly, adding to the crew's superstition.
The Talk of the Crew
Grumpy sailor who threatens the dog and complains about the lack of alcohol.
X: Dangerous Sailing
Mentioned as one of the ringleaders contributing to the crew's demoralization.
XI: The Devil’s Thumb
A leading mutineer, Pen incites the crew to abandon the expedition and attempts to kill the dog, calling it the 'captain' and blaming it for their troubles.
Captain Hatteras
A mutinous sailor who leads the crew's refusal to go further and calls for gin.
XVIII: The Way Northward
Is growled at by Duke, who harbors a grudge against him.
The Death of Bellot
Pen is among the mutinous crew members who want to compel the Forward to return to England.
The First Signs of Mutiny
Leads the mutinous protest against lighting fires, is disarmed and put in irons after threatening the captain.
Attacked by the Ice
Leads the mutinous talk among the crew, suggesting Hatteras is mad and that Shandon should take command.
The Last Piece of Coal
Seems to escape scurvy due to his strong constitution, but he refuses to take exercise and is part of the disgruntled crew.
The Great Cold at Christmas
Pen insolently suggests burning the ship for fuel, provoking Hatteras to nearly strike him with an axe.
Return to the South
Found dead alongside Shandon and the rest of the mutinous crew.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Pen unlock in the free preview.

See Pen in The First Signs of Mutiny

See Pen in The Dog-Captain