[8] Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (close reading)

Mr. Midshipman Horblower is a gripping novel by C.S. Forester set in the Napoleonic Wars. The book begins the adventures of Horblower, a young man who is an officer in the British Royal Navy. In Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, Horblower gains his sea-legs and gains several promotions, the first of many as he climbs his way up the ladder of rank to finally becoming a Rear Admiral, one of the most prestigious and highest ranks in the Navy. The opening of the book I think is particularly interesting as Forester sets the scene and mood for the rest of the books, and introduces us to Horblower for the first time.

            The first time we meet Horblower, he is described as looking like a “bag of trash, clumped in the stern of the rowboat.” This line describes him, sitting in the front of the rowboat ferrying him to the ship he is assigned to on a stormy night. It also holds a symbol, of a “bag of trash,” something that is not found at sea and doesn’t belong, is going out to sea in the rowboat. When we come aboard the ship, he reports to one of the higher ranking officers and goes below, and has an unpleasant meeting with the men who are of his rank. To add to this, he is seasick, which goes back to the symbol of the bag of trash which does not belong. He has to assimilate to his new environment. These opening pages set the mood for the rest of the first book.

            Slightly later in the beginning of the story, we meet the captain. An older man, he symbolizes the old and efficient Royal Navy, and its higher ranking officers. Hornblower, having gained a classical education during his childhood, is asked by the captain if he can “quote Cicero.” Horblower quickly assures the captain that he can, something which amuses the captain. He says that he needs to be able to “climb a ratline [a rope used by sailors to move around upon the sails],” not be able to “quote Cicero.” This is another issue with Hornblower, with him struggling to not come off as acting smarter than his superiors, even if he is smarter than them. This section sets the scene for the rest of the chapter.

            Later on in the chapter, Hornblower shows his bravery and paves the way for the next chapter. An officer who is of the same rank insults him while inside a bar, and so Hornblower decides to have a duel. He agrees to have an even chance, where one pistol is loaded and the other is not, and so one with definitely die. However, the captain intervenes, and the duel is cancelled. However, he has proven his bravery through this incident, which would have had a 1 in 2 chance of his death. Because of this, a higher ranking captain decides that he wants Hornblower on his ship, and so Hornblower is promoted. This is the first of many promotions which he will gain over the series, and it shows us how brave he is.

            In conclusion, the novel Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester has a great beginning. It introduces us to Hornblower, sets the scene, and creates the mood for the rest of the books. Through Forester’s brilliant craft, we learn a tremendous amount about Hornblower and the British Royal Navy at that time. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is one of the best novels I have read, and the beginning is one of the best parts of the series.