Chapter 22

Home at Last?

Question #1

Why do you think Zachariah tells Charlotte that he had never returned home because he didn't know if he would be welcome?  

Question #2

How did you react when you read Mr. Doyle's assessment of the "unnatural" tales and disgraceful spelling in Charlotte's journal? Since Charlotte was not allowed to answer her father, how do you think she felt?  What did her father miss?

Question #3

When Charlotte dressed to go ashore, she felt pinched and confined in her old clothes.  What does her clothing symbolize to her?

Question #4

What does sitting down to a meal before her mother, offering to get the butter, and asking the servants to call her by her first name indicate about Charlotte?  Be specific and detailed in your response.

Question #5

What did Zachariah mean by the following speech:


A sailor chooses the wind that takes the ship from safe port. Ah, yes, but once you're abroad, as you have seen, winds have a mind of their own. Be careful Charlotte, careful of the wind you choose.

Question #6

Do you think Charlotte made the right decision at the end of the novel?  What would you have done?

Chapters 19-21

Things are Rarely What they Seem

Question #1

What did Zachariah mean when he said to Charlotte, "It does you honor"?

Question #2

What is your opinion of the captain's plan to rid himself of Mr. Hollybrass, Zachariah, and Charlotte?  Do you see flaws in his logic?  Explain.

Question #3

Can you support Charlotte's view that the Captain was mad?  What evidence would you use?

Question #4

In Chapter 1, the figurehead of the Seahawk reminded Charlotte of an avenging angel. How did its appearance in Chapter 21 support this interpretation?

Question #5

In Chapter 20, Charlotte dreamt about returning home. What do you think her homecoming will be like?  Will it be what she expects?  Explain.

Chapters 16-18

Is Charlotte Innocent?

Question #1

Could Zachariah have murdered Mr. Hollybrass as Charlotte suspected?  Prove your answer.

Question #2

What does the Captain's disheveled physical state indicate about his state of mind?  

Question #3

Has your impression of Mr. Keetch changed since you learned that he planned to hide Zachariah?  Explain your reasons.

Question #4

What difficulties would Zachariah have in taking Captain Jaggery to court in Rhode Island in 1832?

Question #5

Given the power held by the captain of a ship during this period in history, do you feel Charlotte had a fair trial?  Defend your answer.

Question #6

Reread Chapter 18, look closely at the questions the Captain asked.  How were the questions designed to "tighten the noose" around Charlotte's neck?  Be specific.