Larsen is very well read and impressively self-educated, but crude and brutish in his personal inclinations. He refuses to return to port early and forces Van Weyden to work in the kitchen under the supervision of the treacherous and greedy ship's cook.
Larsen possesses extensive knowledge due to his love for reading and self-study, but he exhibits a coarse nature in his personal behavior. He refuses to leave the ship early and forces Van Weyden to work in the kitchen under the guidance of the untrustworthy and money-hungry cook.