True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
By: Abhinay, Ryosuke, Bryce, Joel, Hannah and Claire
Chararacterization
Captain Jaggery
The vicious captain of the Seahawk. He is cunning and mean(140 AVI). He is very stubborn and rude to his crew(97 AVI). Jaggery is merciless(92 AVI).
Charlotte Doyle
The "gentlewoman" of the Seahawk. She is the main character of "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle". Charlotte is independent and brave(13 AVI). She is very ladylike and does not like to get dirty.
Zachariah
The black, 50 year old man(21 Avi). He is nice, caring, and wise(23 Avi). He is friends with Charlotte Doyle. He is the oldest person on the ship (27 Avi).
Theme
WHY?
We think that this is the theme because many people are judged differently than their true character. Captain Jaggery was thought to be a "gentleman" by Charlotte Doyle but was actually a vicious murderer(pg.44)--(pg.85 and 88). Charlotte Doyle was a lady-like 13-year-old but turned into a manly sailor(pg.21)--(pg.122). Also, the crew members thought that Mr.Keetch was a loyal crew member but was actually Captain Jaggery's friend(pg.182)--(pg.187).
External and Internal Coflict
External(man vs. man and man vs. nature):
Some external conflict in the story was...
- When Captain Jaggery killed Cranick with the musket (p 85).
- When Charlotte whipped Captain Jaggery's face (p.94).
- When Zachariah was being whipped by Mr. Hollybrass (p.92-93).
Internal(man vs. self):
Some internal conflict in the story was...
- When Charlotte didn't know what to do with the knife Zachariah gave her (p.23).
- When Captain Jaggery asked Charlotte where she got the knife, she didn't know what to say (p.47).
- When Charlotte is put on trial she has to decide if she wants to be judged by the crew or live behind her father's name (p.161).
Summary
Figurative Language
Metaphors-
"My head was light, my heart an anvil.My hands were on fire, the soles of my feet raw(pg.116)."
Similes-
"It was Mr. Hollybrass, peering at us from behind his shaggy brows like some spy(pg.39)."
"My heart was beating painfully as if I were in some great danger(pg.105)."
Personification-
"Then, as if tossing him off, the Seahawk leaped, and Captain Jaggery dropped into the roaring foam and passed beneath the ship, not to be seen again(pg.195)."
Refrain-
"Is someone there?...Is someone there(pg.56)?"
Hyperbole-
"Oh, how my heart swelled with exaltation(pg.118)!"
Imagery-
"I was flying through the air in wild, wide gyrations. The horizon kept shifting, tilting, dropping(pg.117)."
Plot
Captain Jaggery is a charming captain. He is the captain of the Seahawk, and his goal is to get a good report from Charlotte's dad.
Zachariah is a very old man who is nice to Charlotte.
Rising Action-Charlotte is invited for tea with Jaggery and became friends. Zachariah gave Charlotte a Dirk. Jaggery talks to her and tells her to tell him if she saw a round robin.
Climax- Jaggery reveals his true colors to Charlotte Doyle, so she decides to join the crew. During the hurricane that follows, Mr. Hollybrass is murdered and Jaggery claims that Charlotte is guilty. She has an unfair trial and is sentenced.
Falling Action- Charlotte and Zachariah figure out, in the brig, that the murderer was Captain Jaggery. They make a plan to kill him but Mr.Keetch informs Jaggery about the assassination. Jaggery eventually dies by falling off the bowsprit, Charlotte and Zachariah become captains and the crew reaches Providence, Rhode Island.
Resolution(denouement)- Charlotte decided to stay with the crew and become a sailor.