The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Chapter Questions

Introduction:

1)  Avi, the author, describes Charlotte’s background and overview of what will happen to her as she makes a transformation in her life. Summarize the details in this section.

Chapter 1

1)  Describe and support the tone the author uses toward the voyage and the ship. Cite three examples.

2)  How is Charlotte at a disadvantage if she takes this voyage?

Chapter 2

1)  How was Mr. Keetch’s view regarding Charlotte’s voyage different than Mr. Grummage’s?

2)  Charlotte was brought up as a lady. What did this mean during the early 1800’s?

3)  Describe Charlotte’s cabin. Why the shock? Why the reference to a trap?

4)  Who is the next person to warn Charlotte? What was her reaction? Why did she not worry about his commentary?

5)  Infer the analogy to a coffin on page 21.

6)  Describe Zachariah. Will he be a friend or a foe? Support your response.

7)  Why does he offer Charlotte the knife? Infer the meaning of a “ship sails with any wind.”

8)  Interpret the meaning behind the third paragraph on page. 26.

Chapter 3

1)  Another reference to death is made in the beginning of the chapter. Locate and explain it.

2)  Describe the captain and the crew.

3)  Analyze the government aboard the ship. Compare it to a democracy.

4)  Give several reasons why Charlotte finds comfort in Captain Jaggery.

Chapter 4

1)  What adjustments did Charlotte have to make once she sailed?

2)  How does Zachariah’s view of the Captain differ from Charlotte’s? Support each answer with specifics.

3)  Why is this particular crew sailing with this particular captain?

Chapter 5

1)  How does Charlotte use class differences to determine the character of individuals that she meets?

2)  Give three examples of how the captain wins Charlotte’s respect.

3)  How does Captain Jaggery command authority?

4)  What has the captain asked Charlotte to do for him?

5)  What are Charlotte’s plans for the knife that was given to her? Justify her actions.

Chapter 6

1)  Once again how does the author describe Charlotte’s captivation with the captain?

2)  Locate double definitions for shrouds found on P. 54. What tone is the author continuing to use toward this ship and the voyage.

3)  What is implied by the reference to the captain’s need of a ship’s jail?

4)  Describe her experience in the hold when she went for her trunk. What did she sense?

Chapter 7

1)  Discuss her mixed emotions surrounding the presence of someone else in the hold.

2)  She has resigned herself to the fact that she gains comfort from the captain and Zachariah. How does each one offer it?

3)  Her indecision concerning the knife resurfaces. Explain and make a prediction based on the final line of the chapter.

Chapter 8

1)  Describe how Charlotte spends her days aboard the ship.

2)  How does Charlotte soften the class lines with the crew?

3)  Make two comparisons between Charlotte’s father and Captain Jaggery.

4)  Explain and support the captain’s view of the crew. Be specific.

5)  Following the view, the author revisits his tone toward the ship itself. Describe it.

6)  Make a prediction with the final statement of the chapter.

Chapter 9

1)  Describe the forecastle.

2)  How did Charlotte infer that a rebellion was brewing?

3)  What was the inconsistency she observed?

4)  How did she show her allegiance to the captain? What was discussed between them?

Chapter 10

1)  Summarize the chapter by including the captain’s confrontation, accusations, and punishments.

2)  Who was Cranick and why was he there?

3)  Why did the captain look to Charlotte for the punishment of another? Support your response.

Chapter 11

1)  Charlotte has a strong sense of isolation by the end of this chapter. Explain. Do you feel she did the right thing? Support your response.

Chapter 12

1)  Summarize Charlotte’s sense of responsibility to this situation. Is she justified or too hard on herself?

2)  Interpret “the world itself had ground to a halt” on page 106.

3)  How does the captain reassign positions? How do they make up for one less crew member?

4)  Discuss Charlotte’s transformation of allegiance.

Chapter 13

1)  Interpret the ninth paragraph on P. 118.

2)  Describe the test of acceptance, which Charlotte has to pass.

Chapter 14

1)  How does the captain accept her transformation?

2)  How does Charlotte express her comfort in her new position?

3)  Interpret paragraph4 on page 132.

4)  Interpret paragraph 4 on page 133. What does Hollybrass want to happen?

5)  How did the captain make an example of Charlotte?

6)  Why does the captain set the crew up for a dangerous journey?

Chapter 15

1) Cite two similes and interpret them.

2) Describe Charlotte’s mission during the storm.

3) Make a prediction concerning the sighting of Zachariah. Support your response.

4) Interpret the final statement in the chapter.

Chapter 16

1)  Discuss how the captain accuses Charlotte of the murder of Hollybrass.

2)  How does Charlotte deal with the accusations?

Chapter 17

1)  Cite an example of the crew’s lack of trust in Charlotte even at this point in time.

2)  How does Charlotte support the notion that Zachariah may have committed the murder?

3)  Why has the captain decided to have the crew be the jury at the trial?

Chapters 17 and 18

1)  Cite an example of the crew’s lack of trust in Charlotte even at this point in time.

2)  How does Charlotte support the notion that Zachariah may have committed the murder?

3)  Why has the captain decided to have the crew be the jury at the trial?

4)  Summarize the case, which Captain Jaggery brings against Charlotte in the murder trial.

5)  What was the outcome of the trial?

Chapter 18

1)  Summarize the case, which Captain Jaggery brings against Charlotte in the murder trial. What key word does he use to build his case and what supporting details does he use? Is it fair? What is the outcome of the trial?

Chapter 19

1)  Interpret paragraph 11 on page 184.

2)  Why didn’t the captain acknowledge Zachariah’s presence on the ship?

3)  How is it rationalized that the captain may have murdered Hollybrass?

4)  What plan do Charlotte and Zachariah develop?

Chapter 20

1)  On P. 194, what are Charlotte’s feelings toward Keetch?

2)  Why does Charlotte have a sudden flashback on page 198?

Chapter 21

1)  How were Charlotte’s plans foiled? However, she was insightful, in what way?

2)  Explain the disdain the captain felt toward Charlotte.

3)  He offers her three choices. Explain each.

4)  Describe the altercation between the captain and Charlotte.

Chapter 22

1)  How is the ship lead during its final few days?

2)  Interpret paragraph 13 on p 212.