full title The Caine Mutiny
author Herman Wouk
type of work Fiction
genre World War II historical fiction
language English
time and place written 1949, New York and at sea, aboard the USS Saipan
date of first publication 1951
publisher Doubleday & Company
narrator Willie Keith
point of view Third person limited omniscient
tone Humorous; journalistic
tense Present
setting (time) 1942–1945
setting (place) New York, San Francisco, Pearl Harbor, and various islands of the South Pacific, but primarily aboard the D.M.S. Caine
protagonist Willie Keith
major conflict A competent crew opposes the command of an incompetent and possibly insane captain
rising action The events of Queeg's captainship elicit increasing disgust from his crew
climax The mutiny against Queeg
falling action The court-martial of Queeg
themes The maturation of Willie Keith; the conflict between regular and reserve Navies; a war of perspectives
motifs Awakenings; meals; renewal
symbols Queeg's metal balls; Keefer's novel; Willie's hat
foreshadowing Queeg's increasing seclusion; the near-reporting of Queeg at the New Jersey
