Master and Commander: Prizes
The issue of prize money is mentioned several times in the novel Master and Commander. The concept of the prize itself however has a far wider range within the events and the relationships of the novel. Love, friendship, loyalty and discipline are in themselves prizes that have greater importance for the characters in the novel than prize money in itself. It is true that Jack Aubrey in the beginning of the novel is particularly concerned about the issue of money and debt. But the reasons for his euphoria when boarding the Sophie run deeper than the ever-fading possibility of a prize. Indeed, when he sees her he knows that this possibility is minimal.
Jack Aubrey, while understanding the reality of the Sophie's condition, loves her nonetheless, as only a Captain can. In herself then, the ship is the Captain's prize, as is his new rank: "he... had loved her from the moment his eye first swept along her sweetly curving deck," although the ship "was very unlikely to make his fortune" (p. 27). These prizes, rather than financial prospects, are his reasons for joy when meeting his new friend, Stephen Maturin.
Aubrey once again mentions the issue of prize money when attempting to convince Maturin to join him as the ship's surgeon. The latter however agrees not for the money, but for his friendship with Aubrey. The friendship between the men grows throughout the novel to become something of great value to each.
Another prize belonging to Jack Aubrey as Captain of his ship is the loyalty and discipline of the ship's crew. They give him the reverence due to a man of his rank, and Aubrey acts accordingly. It is with some regret that he notes the distance between himself and the men as a result. This regret however comes with the understanding that "it is the price that has to be paid" (p. 28). The prize is rank, while the price is comradeship with his crewmen. The former however outweighs the latter in Aubrey's mind, as suggested by his following thought: "And by God it's worth it." (p. 29).
