Master and Commander (novel)
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Master and Commander is the first book of the Aubrey-Maturin series. It introduces Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin and the early development of their friendship from an inauspicious start. In this first book Patrick O'Brian displays what became his characteristic use of authentic early 19th century speech patterns and words. He also introduces historical accounts of naval actions and appropriates them for his fiction, either by placing is characters at real events or making his characters the protagonists in fictionalised versions. Another important characteristic introduced by O'Brian is his use of humour to enliven the narrative and add realism to his characters.
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Publication history
O'Brian was asked to write Master and Commannder by an American publisher to provide a replacement for the highly successful Hornblower books by C.S. Forester following Forester's death.
The book was published in 1970 by Lippincott in the United States and by Collins in the rest of the world. Collins kept the book in print, but the series did not catch on in the United States and Lippincott let the the book go out of print. It was republished by W.W. Norton in 1990 when later books of the series became popular in the USA.
Plot introduction
Starting in 1800, the book describes the meeting and growing friendship of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin in their roles as a newly appointed Master and Commander and penniless doctor turned Ship's surgeon against a background of naval operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
Plot summary
| SPOILER WARNING: Plot or ending details for "Master and Commander" follow. |
After an unpleasnt incident at a concert where he quarrels with a civilian, Dr Maturin, Aubrey is overjoyed to be appointed as Master and Commander of HMS Sophie, a small brig. He makes up his quarrel with Maturin the next morning and invites him to dine with him to celebrate his promotion. Going aboard his new command he finds that he requires a ship's surgeon and so invites Maturin to sail with him in that capacity.
Aubrey has a busy time improving the ship's rig and guns and learning the capabilities of his new command and crew, including James Dillon his new 1st lieutenant. He then starts on his first task as a convoy escort.
On reporting to Lord Keith, his admiral, Aubrey finds that Lady Keith is his cousin, Queenie, who influences the the admiral to favour him witha free-ranging cruise against enemy merchant ships. Aubrey proves to be a lucky commander and soon amasses a large number of prizes mking him and his crew relatively wealthy. However, Dillon sees this prize-taking as being unsuitable for a professional naval officer and suspects Aubrey of being more interested in taking prizes rather than military purposes.
Dillon is also under pressure as a secret Roman Catholic and a member of the United Irishmen. This is made worse when he is sent to board an American ship carrying a fugitive leader of the 1798 Irish Rebellion who he allows to go free.
Aubrey's predation in Spanish waters cause Spanish traders to hire a Spanish xebec frigate, the Cacafuego to hunt down the Sophie. On their first encounter, Sophie avoids action by a subterfuge much to Dillon's disdain. However on a later meeting Aubrey attacks the much larger ship and captures her against all the odds. Despite this triumph, Captain Harte's justifiable enmity plays down Aubrey's victory so he does not earn the usual promotion for such a victory.
Aubrey is returned to convoy escort but on a voyage to Gibraltar, he encounters a formidable French squadron under Linois who eventually capture the Sophie. Aubrey and his officers are taken as prisoners to Algiceras Bay where they witness Sir James Saumarez failed attack on the French squadron. After the battle, Aubrey and his officers are released on parole and await court martial in Gibraltar. At the court martial, Aubrey is acquitted folowing favourable testimony from his officers.
| Spoilers end here |
Major characters in "Master and Commander"
- Jack Aubrey, newly promoted commander of HMS Sophie
- Stephen Maturin, Irish-Catalan physician, ship's surgeon
- James Dillon, Irish 1st lieutenant
- Captain Harte, Port Captain at Port Mahon
- Molly Harte, wife of Captain Harte
- Lord Keith, Admiral in the Mediterranean
- Queenie, Lady Keith, wife of Lord Keith
- Tom Pullings, master's mate
- William Mowett, master's mate
- William Babbington, midshipman
Major themes
O'Brian introduces the unlikely friendship of two very different characters. The way their mutual affection and understanding evolves is subtly described in both the various incidents in the book and the relating of the internal musings of both Aubrey and Maturin.
Another important theme is that of Duty and Honour. Although it would seem likely that Aubrey and Dillon would be more compatible as friends, these concepts interfere with the building of a easy relationship and lead to conflict.
O'Brian also emphasises the loneliness of command aboard a 19th century man of war. Aubrey is isolated from the rest of the crewand sometimes does not always realise the undercurrents of opinion among the crew and his officers.
Style
O'Brian's extensive reading of literature and naval writings of the late 18th and early 19th century allowed him to create a realistic pastiche of the language and phraseology of early 19th century. He combines this apparently contemporary language and usages with a sense of humour unusual in the naval fiction genre by using words whose meaning has changed over the years.
O'Brian also tends to allow the reader to make their own connections rather than spell out plot developments in detail. This has caused a number of differing interpretations to grow up about some incidents depending on the reader's point of view.
Film adaptation
Despite its title, the film Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World has no significant content from Master and Commander.
References
| Books in the Aubrey-Maturin Series by Patrick O'Brian | |
|
Master and Commander | Post Captain | HMS Surprise | The Mauritius Command | Desolation Island | The Fortune of War | The Surgeon's Mate | The Ionian Mission | Treason's Harbour | The Far Side of the World | The Reverse of the Medal | The Letter of Marque | The Thirteen-Gun Salute | The Nutmeg of Consolation | Clarissa Oakes/The Truelove | The Wine-Dark Sea | The Commodore | The Yellow Admiral | The Hundred Days | Blue at the Mizzen | 21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey | |
| Other books by Patrick O'Brian | |
