The Rescue · Character

Shaw

The chief mate of Lingard's brig, the Lightning.

minor

Also known as Mr. Shaw

First appearance: part i the man and the brig

Shaw's tie to Captain Lingard is one of the pressures that moves The Rescue—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The chief mate, a man who is proud of being 'all there' and is inwardly hostile to most captains.

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With Captain Lingard (professional): A subordinate officer whose petty jealousy and resentment create friction with Lingard. With Carter (rivalry): A professional rivalry marked by Shaw's envy and Carter's competence.

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The fuller portrait of Shaw sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Shaw in part i the man and the brig

Character Web

11 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Political power brokers
Protagonist

+6 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
Aftermath
Closing

Lingard’s psychological peak occurs as he articulates his fatal illusion—his belief that he and the brig are o…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Captain Lingard
professional · negative
A subordinate officer whose petty jealousy and resentment create friction with Lingard. How this plays out →
Carter
rivalry · negative
Captain Lingard
professional · negative
A subordinate officer whose petty jealousy and resentment create friction with Lingard. How this plays out →
Captain Lingard
professional · negative
A subordinate officer whose petty jealousy and resentment create friction with Lingard. How this plays out →
Carter
rivalry · negative
Carter
rivalry · negative

Captain Lingard
A subordinate officer whose petty jealousy and resentment create friction with Lingard.
Carter
A professional rivalry marked by Shaw's envy and Carter's competence.
Captain Lingard
A subordinate officer whose petty jealousy and resentment create friction with Lingard.
Captain Lingard
A subordinate officer whose petty jealousy and resentment create friction with Lingard.
Carter
A professional rivalry marked by Shaw's envy and Carter's competence.
Carter
A professional rivalry marked by Shaw's envy and Carter's competence.

Relationship notes

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

See Shaw in part i the man and the brig

In the story

Shaw appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
The chief mate, a man who is proud of being 'all there' and is inwardly hostile to most captains. He is practical and somewhat grumpy, but approves of Lingard.
II
Lingard's mate, reports the boat's approach, listens to Lingard's story, and comments on the troubles caused by women.
III
The mate of the brig, who is relieved by Wasub and goes below, but not before expressing his opinion about making more sail.
IV
First mate, assists Lingard, questions the purpose of the smoke signal, and receives orders to prepare the ship.
IX
Observes the confrontation between Lingard and Carter with curiosity and indignation.
The Departure
Seen leaning over the taffrail in sulky dejection as Lingard departs, representing the crew's mood.
VI
Mentioned as having been sent away from the brig to the yacht, causing an uproar and threatening to have Carter hanged.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Shaw in part i the man and the brig

See Shaw in I