Leggatt As The Captain In The Secret Sharer

In The Secret Sharer, Conrad focuses on two main characters; Leggatt and an unnamed character referred to as the captain. Although proposed as two distinct characters, only one really exists. The captain exists while Leggatt is a figment of imagination. Leggatt first arrives by, “…a faint of phosphorescent light, which seemed to issue suddenly form the naked body of a man,” (9) thus emitting imagery that typically does not occur normally. Even later when the captain is planning to aid Leggatt in escape, he mentions how, “…his coming there was an explanation, whereas his disappearance would be inexplicable...” (37), basically admitting Leggatt was made up. Leggatt’s sole purpose is to help the captain justify his actions. When Leggatt says, “I’ve killed a man,” (12) the captain mentions how he, “…knew well enough…that my double there was no homicidal ruffian,” (12) and suggested a reason of a, “Fit of temper.” (12).

Even when Archbold arrives discussing the event, the captain says, “‘That reefed foresail saved you.’”(27) as if he knew what occurred without Archbold mentioning such information. His processing of the immoral, traumatic event causes the captain to whisper to himself where if his crew were to see him, they would think he was, “…having a quiet confabulation by the wheel,” (14). Conrad’s use of the word “confabulation” is fitting to describe conversations between Leggatt and the captain since the meaning of the word is a distorted memory about oneself. Simultaneously, each conversation makes the captain feel like he is, “…creeping quietly as near insanity as any man who has not actually gone over the border.”