Arthur Morse leads Martin Eden, a young sailor, into the Morse family’s upper-class home in Oakland, California. Martin is nervous; he didn’t want to come. Because of his large frame and the fact that he’s more accustomed to life on a ship, Martin feels awkward and out of place. He asks Arthur for a moment to compose himself before meeting the rest of Arthur’s family.

Martin regains his composure while Arthur reads a letter. A naval oil painting and books on the table in the drawing room capture Martin’s attention. He peruses a volume of Algernon Swinburne’s poetry and memorizes the poet’s name.

Arthur’s sister, Ruth, enters the room, and Arthur introduces her to Martin. He’s smitten with Ruth’s ethereal beauty; she, in turn, discreetly examines Martin’s scarred face and neck, as well as his cheap clothes. Ruth asks about the scar. Martin explains that it’s from a fight with a Mexican man and immediately feels embarrassed. He nervously turns the conversation to poetry and Swinburne, whose name he mispronounces.

Martin listens as Ruth talks about poetry, feeling for the first time the stimulation of intellectual life and a growing attraction to Ruth. She finds something alarming yet compelling in Martin’s intense gaze.