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Master and Commander
It is clear from the beginning of the novel, Master & Commander, and especially from Jack Aubrey's first meetings with his crew, that discipline among shipmates and respect for superiors are essential qualities on a battle ship. In the light of the requirements of this setting, this is logical. Living in close quarters for months on end could take its toll on men of different dispositions and tempers. If extreme discipline is not maintained, chaos may ensue. This is especially so in battle. Thus naval officers of the time were subject to a rigorous discipline that could often be accredited for saving lives.
Aubrey, as the ship's captain, was then the primary embodiment of such discipline. The air that this gives him is of a person set apart from the "normal" shipmates. He is given his deserved reverence when he boards the Sophie for the first time. Yet he is not tyrannical. He imposes his authority from the basis of a self-assured dignity. He is somewhat stubborn, but balances this quality with the wisdom of his leadership.
Discipline among the shipmates of the Sophie is also evident before Jack Aubrey even boards the ship. This is evident in the fact that they have obviously made considerable effort to prepare the ship and themselves for the first meeting with their captain. Aubrey shows the kind of discipline that he would impose by being "blind to the things he was not meant to see." (O'Brian 26). These include some minor defects such as a piece of ham and a defecating goat.
In his relationships with the other characters, Aubrey continues to show his regard for rigorous discipline when he felt it necessary. Even his deep friendship with Stephen Maturin would not deter him from this. Aubrey's relationship with Lieutenant James Dillon is for example also considerably strained as a result of the latter's secret disobedience to a Post-Captain's orders.
Bibliography
Gilby, Jeremy. Book Review: Master and Commander. 2004. www.jeremygilby.com/?p=572
O'Brian, Patrick. Master & Commander. St. James Place, London: Collins, 1970.
Bibliography Anderson, Joseph Slate, Nathan K. "The Case for a Joint Military Decision making Process." Military Review 83, no. 5 (September 2003): 11. Master FILE Premier, EBSCO host (accessed August 15, 2012). Clark, Thomas G. "ARMY PLANNING DOCTRINE: Identifying the Problem is the Heart of the Problem." Military Review 87, no. 6 (November 2007): 70. Master FILE Premier, EBSCO host (accessed August 15, 2012). Vego, Milan. "Operational Commander's Intent." JFQ: Joint Force Quarterly no. 57 (2010
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What I appreciated most about Master and Commander was in fact the nontraditional approach to the war movie. Instead of focusing on battle scenes and commanders' egos, Weir and his fellow filmmakers focus on those commanders' motives and to the prevailing social norms and political values. Those norms and values gave impetus to explore the world and learn about the diversity of culture and species the planet houses. As outmoded
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