The Sea-Wolf · Character

Johansen

The new mate who bellows orders even in his sleep, Johansen enforces Wolf Larsen's will with his fists until the captain can no longer stand him.

supporting

Also known as poor Johansen

First appearance: III

As a supporting figure in The Sea-Wolf, Johansen is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A sailor ordered to sew the dead man into canvas and later to call all hands.

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See Johansen in III Book page

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Routed from the cabin after one night of shouting battle orders in his sleep, Johansen is foisted on the hunters' steerage, where his nightly bellowing becomes a running grievance. He embodies the brute-force discipline of the Ghost: a man whose authority rests on violence because nothing else is recognized aboard. His demotion quietly reveals how expendable even the ship's officers are under Wolf Larsen's caprice.

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

See Johansen in III

Character Web

13 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Core mutineers and survivors
Protagonist
Minor mutineers and hunters
Background crew and casualties

+8 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

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Hump’s inte…

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Relationships

Wolf Larsen
professional · negative
Johansen is the brutal mate who enforces Wolf Larsen's orders with violence, acting as… How this plays out →
Johnson
rivalry · negative
Wolf Larsen
professional · negative
Johansen is the brutal mate who enforces Wolf Larsen's orders with violence, acting as… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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

See Johansen in III

In the story

Johansen appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
A sailor ordered to sew the dead man into canvas and later to call all hands.
V
Routed from the cabin by Wolf Larsen and sent to the steerage; later sends sailors to clean up ashes.
IX
Lends a whetstone to Humphrey.
XII
Assists Wolf Larsen in beating Johnson, showing a beast-like rage.
XIV
Missing after the mutiny; Humphrey recalls a conversation with him about his mother in Sweden, which proves to be his last words.

Chapter companion notes

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

See Johansen in III