One of the main themes is identity. The narrator's encounter with Leggatt makes him question his own identity. Another theme is loyalty. The narrator shows loyalty to Leggatt by hiding him and helping him escape.
The two main characters are the narrator, who is the captain of the ship, and Leggatt. Leggatt is the secret sharer who has escaped from another ship and is being hidden by the narrator on his ship.
The themes include self - discovery. Through his relationship with the secret sharer, the main character discovers new aspects of himself. Morality is also a theme. He has to grapple with the right and wrong of hiding a fugitive. And there is the theme of the unknown. The presence of the secret sharer is like an unknown element in his otherwise ordered world.
The sea - faring setting of 'The Secret Sharer' really impacts the plot. The vastness of the ocean creates a sense of loneliness and secrecy. It's like a world of its own where the rules are different. The ship, with its different decks and cabins, provides the physical space for the hiding and the mystery to unfold. It also makes communication difficult, which is important for keeping the secret.
The main character is the narrator who becomes the secret sharer's confidant. And of course, the secret sharer himself is also a very important character.
In 'the secret sharer story', the main theme seems to be about self - discovery through an unusual connection. The fact that the protagonist shares a secret with this other person who is in a rather strange situation makes him reflect on himself. He has to deal with the implications of this shared secret, which forces him to look at his own values, his own sense of right and wrong, and his place in the world. It's like a journey into his own soul while being involved with this secret sharer.
Conrad creates suspense through the secrecy of the situation. The captain's encounter with the fugitive and his decision to hide him keeps the reader on edge. We don't know if they will be caught or what will happen next.
One of the main themes is the duality of human nature. The protagonist seems to find a version of himself in the 'secret sharer'. Another theme is isolation, as the captain is in a somewhat isolated position on the ship, and his encounter with the fugitive intensifies this sense of being alone yet connected to another in a strange way.
The Secret Sharer' as a psychological novel is evident in how it delves into the human psyche. The captain's actions and thoughts are constantly shaped by his secret. For instance, his hesitation and the way he tries to protect Leggatt show his subconscious desires and fears. His internal monologues give us a peek into his mind, where we can see the battle between his sense of right and wrong, his loyalty to his ship and crew, and his strange loyalty to Leggatt. This exploration of the inner self, the moral and emotional conflicts within a character, is what makes it a great psychological novel.