Dialogue: Was the talk realistic? Could we hear the individual character’s voices? Too much dialogue? Too little? What did the dialogue show about the moods, ages, intentions, and backgrounds of the characters?

[Zach]

"Said is dead!" We all learned this little rhyme in fourth grade when we were first beginning to write stories with some length to them. Basically, it meant to not use the word "said" in our writings, but to instead think of similies that were more creative. However, does this abandoning of the word mean that we are to never use dialogue? Jack London answers that question with great clarity in his novel, "The Sea Wolf"(unable to be underlined), which contains numerous lines of dialogue on every single one of his written pages.
Although Jack London uses a very large amount of dialogue, it is not overbearing. In fact, some might argue that it is essential to his story. Nontheless, words like "said" are not repeated incessantly, keeping the reader, at least in my opinion, from becoming bored with monotonous repitition.
One aspect of Jack London's dialogue that I have a great admiration for is his ability to capture different character's voices. For example, on page 10, the cook in the story says, "'An' 'ow yer feelin' now, sir?'" (London 10). As you can see, this implementation of character's dialect makes the story a tad bit harder to read, but in my opinion adds to the story. This also makes the speech more realistic, and allows the reader to feel like they are actually hearing the character's voice. Because this story takes place mainly on a ship that is at sea, the tone and dialect of the character's voices, which is quite clear and varies from person to person, lets the reader understand how much education the person talking has recieved. Also, when characters are in more of a negative mood there is more errors made in their speech. When this happens, the story really comes alive in the eyes of the reader.The Sea Wolf

[Allan]

Bravo Zach, I’m no Jack London, but that's exactly what I believe. Injecting the voice of the speaker helps to paint the picture. It adds color to the characters, in my opinion. As you say, it can be an indicator of education or ignorance, friend or foe. It often enriches the reading experience even at the cost of adding difficulty in reading. It can slow the reader down, forcing them to take in the scene. It can be used to reinforce the period and the location of the story. A literary device that adds to the enjoyment.

[David]

Actually writing gurus say you should use "said" instead of synonyms for it. They stick out like a sore thumb. People don't notice "said". Sometimes you don't need any attribution. Characters take turns talking and you can tell from the "voice" who it is. The whole book reminded me of THE GRAND INQUISITOR chapter from Brothers Karamazov.

[Roderick]

The dialogue is excellent in this novel. I agree with David when he says 'said' is OK.

It's a great deal better than expressions such as 'she laughed', 'he snarled', 'she simpered'etc, all of which mean 'said', though in a certain way.

[Naj]

The book was brilliant in its entirety. There were a great many concepts discussed which I disagree with strongly, yet it did nt spoil the book, and that takes skill. I also agree that the dialogue made the book what it is

[Harry]

The sea wolf is an excellent book and well written, perhaps the best sea book ever written. When talk about the sea wolf by Jack London, I think there are very few who are able to understand that book- the special youngster and even elderly people in America. The merchant navy and its social code and its history is totally different between Britania and America and the book 'Sea wolf' is based on the code of British merchant service, also the crew and the captain were not American origins.
Take for example: what happened to the mate who lies on the hatch number one - what were the disease that struck the mate? The who have sailed on merchant ships at the age just after the age of sails they at once recognise the fit- it was that customary alcohol jolt which came after hard drinking - very customary among the sailors and was fixed just by giving a drink to the patient.

[Zenta]

The talk eas very realistic as far the woman came on board. Actually she spoiled all the beauty of this book, but Jack London loved woman very much so he didnt hesitated trying to find some unic love story happening on board of a ship. But I am kind in oppinion that Wolf was developed to much in this book to be substituted by a woman like a main star. Anyway I recommend everyone to read it and find Your own thoughts about it.