Nigger of the Narcissus

capable of doing the work of a healthy man. They share a common enemy, and the crew does not want to lose Wait in their struggles. “We spoke in low tones within that fo’c’sle as though it had been a church. Not only does the seaman who had usually disregarded all turmoil become aggravated by Wait, but in fact, most of the crew can no longer tolerate Wait as well. “Are you dying?” he asks Wait. who proceed to heatedly inform him that perhaps his illness is more than a mere cough. However, both Jimmy and the rest of the crew are fighting against the sea. We ate our meals in silence and dread…We grew desperate, and remained submissive…[Jimmy] made himself master of every moment of our existence” (p 22). The seamen detest hearing Jimmy complain about his health and view him as an overbearing and obnoxious presence on the ship. Because of Jimmy’s illness, the singers on the ship are forced to become mute, and seamen are unable to hammer a nail to hang up their rags. The narrator reveals that “[they] all lovingly called him Jimmy, to conceal [their] hate of his accomplice” (p 22). Baker, chief mate of the ship, becomes livid with Jimmy’s lack of effort when washing the decks. Since Jimmy’s arrival, the quality of life aboard “Narcissus” is less than desirable.