# Johnson — The Sea-Wolf character guide

> Johnson in The Sea-Wolf by Jack London.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Johnson, the sailor Johnson

**First appearance:** 0003-iv

## Snapshot

A strong, slow-spoken sailor who corrects the captain's mispronunciation of his own name and refuses to be broken by ship discipline.

## Who they are

Summoned before Wolf Larsen, Johnson answers with unalterable slowness that his work is done well and that he says what he thinks, appending "sir" to every speech even as he refuses to bend. His quiet courage, his flush at the slur on his English, and the mate's clenching fists around him mark him as a man about to be made an example. He is the human fiction of righteousness made flesh, and Larsen intends to test what such a fiction is worth.

## Relationships

### [Wolf Larsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/wolf_larsen)

_rivalry_

Johnson is a proud, defiant sailor who openly resists Wolf Larsen's tyranny, leading to brutal physical confrontations.

### [George Leach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/george_leach)

_friendship_

Leach and Johnson are fellow rebels who share a mutual hatred of Wolf Larsen and support each other's defiance.

### [Louis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/louis)

_friendship_

Johnson and Louis share a cautious camaraderie as sailors enduring the same brutal conditions, though Louis is more pragmatic.

### [Johansen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/johansen)

_rivalry_

Johansen, as the brutal mate, frequently clashes with the defiant Johnson, leading to violent confrontations.

### [Wolf Larsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/wolf_larsen)

_rivalry_

Johnson is a proud, defiant sailor who openly resists Wolf Larsen's tyranny, leading to brutal physical confrontations.

### [Louis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/louis)

_friendship_

Johnson and Louis share a cautious camaraderie as sailors enduring the same brutal conditions, though Louis is more pragmatic.

### [Wolf Larsen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/wolf_larsen)

_rivalry_

Johnson is a proud, defiant sailor who openly resists Wolf Larsen's tyranny, leading to brutal physical confrontations.

### [George Leach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/george_leach)

_friendship_

Leach and Johnson are fellow rebels who share a mutual hatred of Wolf Larsen and support each other's defiance.

## In the story

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

A sailor; informs Humphrey the ship is the Ghost bound for Japan seal-hunting, and warns him to speak softly with the captain.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/v)

Steering the ship; attempts to warn Humphrey about dumping ashes to leeward.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/vi)

Assertively corrects Larsen about his name; attempts to rescue Harrison from the rigging but is ordered down.

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

Spends spare time at the bowsprit or crosstrees, gazing in ecstasy at the ship's progress and catching dolphin.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/viii)

Ordered by Wolf Larsen to douse Mugridge with salt water.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xi)

Boat puller in Louis's boat; has spoken his mind freely and thrashed Johansen; faces ongoing conflict with Wolf Larsen.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xii)

Beaten savagely by Wolf Larsen and Johansen for complaining about oilskins; remains defiant and principled.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xiii)

Returns to duty but appears broken in spirit, abject before Wolf Larsen and Johansen.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xiv)

Participates in the mutiny alongside Leach, having feigned abject conduct as a deception.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xv)

Sits in dejection after the fight, bleeding from a gash, and is seen by the crew as doomed to face Wolf Larsen's wrath.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xvi)

Another main target of Wolf Larsen's abuse, he has sunk into profound melancholy and hopelessness.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xvii)

Saves Humphrey from drowning and helps with the jib.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xviii)

Escapes with Leach; continues to be a target of Wolf Larsen's cruelty.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/chapters/xix)

Steering the small boat in desperate conditions, showing his seamanship and despair.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters/johnson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sea_wolf_se/characters