Transcript Plot and Setting The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Plot and Setting
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Our Definitions
Plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. Without
a plot, there wouldn’t be a story, just a boring lecture. Plots
are made up of four parts: an exposition, complications,
climax, and resolution. In an exposition, we first meet the
characters and usually what the conflict is. Complications,
also known as rising action, are what happen when the
characters start to try to resolve the conflict. The climax is the
peak of the action, the moment where the conflict could
resolve either way. And the resolution, also known as the
denouement, wraps up the loose ends and hopefully brings
us a happy ending.
Setting is the time and place where the plot takes place. It’s
usually described early on in the story, in the exposition. It
often helps with a work’s emotional effect on the readers,
since someone being kidnapped and held hostage in a dark,
dank lair is much more moving than being held hostage in a
clean, well-kept candy factory. It may also play an important
role otherwise, especially with stories where the character has
a conflict with nature, such as My Side of the Mountain
An In-Depth look at Plot
A series of related events that make up a
story
An introduction tells us who the characters are
and usually what their conflict is.
Complications arise when the characters take
steps to resolve the conflict
Eventually the plot reaches a climax, the most
exciting moment in the story, when the outcome
is decided one way or another
The final part of the story is the resolution, in
which the conflict is resolved and the story is
brought to a close
An In-Depth Look at Setting
The time and place of a story, play, or
narrative poem
Most often the setting is described early
in the story
Setting often contributes to a work’s
emotional effect
It may also play an important role in the
plot, especially in stories involving a
conflict between a character and nature
Definitions From Our Lit. Book
Plot – The series of related events that make up a
story. Plot is what happens in a short story, novel, play,
or narrative poem. Most plots are built from these basic
elements: An introduction (exposition) tells us who the
characters are and usually what their conflict
is. Complications arise when the characters take steps
to resolve the conflict. Eventually the plot reaches a
climax, the most exciting moment in the story, when the
outcome is decided one way or another. The final part
of the story is the resolution, in which the conflict is
resolved and the story is brought to a close.
Setting – The time and place of a story, play, or
narrative poem. Most often the setting is described
early in the story. Setting often contributes to a work’s
emotional effect. It may also play an important role in
the plot, especially in stories involving a conflict
between a character and nature.
Passage #1-This passage sets the
stage for the story. It also
introduces the plot and explains how
Charlotte Doyle came to be a
“Not every thirteen-year-old
girlSeahawk
is accused of murder, brought to trial, and
passenger
on
the
found guilty. But I was just such a girl, and my story is worth relating even if
•Though
•Third,
I American-born,
was
to make
I voyage
spent
upon
years
a ship
between
owned
my
and
sixth
thirteenth
byamy
it did
happen
yearsmy
ago.
Bethe
warned,
however,
this
is operated
noand
Story
of
Bad Boy,
no
What
Katy
Did.
If
strong
ideas
and
action
offend
you,
read
no
birthdays
father’s firm.
in England. My father, who engaged in the manufacture of cotton
more.
another
companion
share your
idle hours.
I
goods,
•Fourth,
functioned
theFind
captain
as of
anthis
agent
shipforhad
anto
acquired
American
abusiness
reputation—so
there.For
my
Butmy
father
in part
the early
intend to tell the truth as I lived it.
spring
informed
of 1832,
me—for
he received
quick andan
profitable
advancement
Atlantic
and
crossings.
was summoned home.
But before I begin relating what happened, you must know something about
•My
•Then
father,
was
ardent
this:
believer
two
families
in regularity
known these
to
and
myorder,
parents
decided
had also
it would
booked
be better
methere
as an
I was
in
the
year
1832—when
events
transpired.
At the
time
ifpassage
I finished
on
out
the
my
ship.
school
The
term
adults
rather
had
than
promised
break
to
it
off
function
midyear.
as
my
My
mother—
my name was Charlotte Doyle. And though I have kept the name, I am
not—for
reasons
you
will soon
discover—the
same
Charlotte
Doyle.(three
whom
guardians.
I neverHaving
knew to
been
disagree
told
only
withthat
him—accepted
these families
my
included
father’s
children
decision.
I
How
shall
theboy)
person
I once
was?brother
At meeting
the and
age sister,
of
thirteen
I than
was
would
lovely
follow
girls
and
myI describe
aparents,
charming
as
well
as
I looked
my
younger
forward
to
them
more
to our
true
very
much
a girl,
having not Rhode
yet begun
to take the shape, much less the
home,
anything
which
else.
was
in Providence,
Island.
heart, of a woman. Still, my family dressed me as a young woman, bonnet
•Lest
•So covering
when
you think
youmy
consider
mybeautiful
parents’
that
judgment
I had
was
dimhigh
rash
memories
in allowing
of
making
meand,
tothe
travel
crossing
without
hair,
full but
skirts,
button
shoes,
you
may
beto
them,
England
I willwhen
showIgloves.
was
you how
six,I you
reasonable,
will understand
eventological
thata Ilady.
their
saw the
decision
forthcoming
voyage
sure,
white
certainly
wanted
be
It was
notwas.
just my
ambition;
wasbymy
I embraced
it at
wholly,
gladly,
not anfor
•First,
as all
they
a lark.
feltAitthat
large,
beautiful
mydestiny.
remaining
boat!
aJolly
boarder
sailors!
the
NoBarrington
schoolwith
to School
think
untoward
thought
anything
else.most
In other
words,
I think thatI would
at the time
Better
about!
Girls
Companions
(Miss
Weed,
ofofmy
eminent
own age!
and
proper
headmistress)
lose of
these events, I was not anything more or less than what I appeared to be;
no
•One
school
time.
point. I ordinary
was given
volume
of in
blank
anmore
acceptable,
girla of
parents
goodpages—how
standing. typical of my
•Second,
father!—and
I would
instructed
be crossing
to keep
theaAtlantic—a
daily journal
tripofthat
my could
voyage
last
across
anywhere
the ocean
from
one
so that
to two
themonths—during
writing of it should
theprove
summer,
of educational
when no formal
valueeducation
to me. Indeed,
took place.
my
father warned me that not only would he read the journal and comment upon it,
but he would also pay particular attention to spelling—not my strongest suit.
•Keeping that journal then is what enables me to relate now in perfect detail
everything that transpired during that fateful voyage across the Atlantic Ocean
in the summer of 1832.” (p. 1-3)
Passage #2- This passage introduces
Zachariah, the ship’s cook, as wanting to be a
friend. It also foreshadows what is going to
happen later in the plot. It is a narrative hook
and makes you want to read more.
•‘No, miss. It is this.’ He held out a knife. With a scream I jumped back.
•‘No,
Miss Doyle.
Don’t misunderstand!
I only
to give
thehe
knife
as protection—in
“Asno!
I drank
Zachariah
looked at me.
‘Itwish
may
wellyou
be,’
said
softly, ‘that
case
you
need will
it.’ He
placed
a wooden
sheath on the blade and held it out.
Miss
Doyle
have
use
for a friend.’
•The knife was, as I came to understand, what’s called a dirk, a small dagger like blade hardly
Finding the suggestion—from him—unpleasant, I chose to ignore it.
more than six inches in length from its white scrimshaw handle, where a star design was cut, to its
‘I can assure
you,’
I returned,
‘that only
theof
captain
willhead.
have made
needle-sharp
point.
Horrified,
I was capable
shaking my
arrangements
mywhat
social
needs.’
•‘Miss
Doyle doesn’tfor
know
might
happen,’ he urged, as though suggesting it might rain on
‘Ah,
but
you
and
I
have
much
in common.’
a picnic and he was offering head covering.
•‘I‘Iknow
nothing
don’t
thinkabout
so.’ knives,’ I whispered.
•‘A ship sails with any wind she finds,’ he whispered. ‘Take it, miss. Place it where it may be
‘But we do. Miss Doyle is so young! I am so old! Surely there is something
reached.’
similar in that. And you, the sole girl, and I, the one black, are special on
•So saying, he took my hand and closed my fingers over the dirk. Cringing, I kept it. ‘Yes,’ he
this ship. In short, we begin with two things in common, enough to begin
said with a smile, patting my fingers.
a friendship.’
•‘Now Miss Doyle may return to her cabin. Do you know the way?’
I looked
elsewhere. ‘I don’t need a friend,’ I said.
•‘I’m
not certain…’
always
•‘I‘One
will guide
you.’ needs a final friend.’
•He
left me
at my door. Once inside I hurriedly stowed the dirk under the thin mattress (resolving
‘Final
friend?’
never to look at it again) and somehow struggled into my bed. There, fully dress, I sought rest,
‘Someone to sew the hammock,’ he returned.
fitfully dozing only to be awakened by a banging sound: my cabin door swinging back and
‘I do nothinges
understand
you,’
forth—rusty
rasping—with
the gentle swaying of the ship.
‘When
a sailor
diesone
onI could
a voyage,
miss, he
to his
place
the on,
•Then
I heard,
‘The only
get to come,
sir, isgoes
the Doyle
girl.resting
And with
them in
looking
seatowith
hisahammock
sewnwanting
abouttohim
by
friend.’
I had
put on
bit of show about
keep
heraoff.’
•‘Quite
all right, Mr.
if there handed
has to be only
the and
trump.made
With her
witness,
I swallowed
myKeetch,
tea hastily,
theone,
cupshe’s
back,
a as
move
to
they’ll
not
dare
move.
I’m
well
satisfied.’
go.
•‘Thank you, sir.’
‘Miss Doyle, please,’ he said softly, taking the cup but holding me with his
•The voices trailed away.
eyes, ‘I have something else to offer.’
• For a while I tried to grasp what I’d heard but I gave it up as incomprehensible. Then, for
‘Noseemed
more forever,
tea, thank
you.’ as the Seahawk tossed by the ceaseless swell, heaved and
what
I lay listening
groaned like a sleeper beset by evil dreams,
Passage #3—this passage shows what it was like to live on a ship for many weeks. It also shows how Charlotte Doyle likes to
have attention directed at her and shows how Captain Jaggery is trying to act like a gentleman. This also shows the setting of the
ship and the relationship between Charlotte Doyle and Captain Jaggery.
“Never mind that my dress—having been worn for four days—was creased
and misshapen, my white gloves a sodden gray. Never mind that my fine
hair must have been hanging like a horse’s tail, in almost complete
disarray. With all eyes upon us as we crossed the ship’s waist to the
bowsprit and figurehead, I felt like a princess being led to her throne.
Not even the same lowering mist I’d observed when I first came from
my cabin could dampen my soaring spirits. Captain Jaggery was a brilliant
sun and I, a Juno moon, basked in reflective glory.
‘Captain Jaggery, sir,’ I said, ‘this ship seems to be moving very
slowly,’
‘You observe correctly,’ he relied, ever the perfect gentleman. ‘But if
you look up there,’ he pointed beyond the mainmast, ‘you’ll notice some
movement. The cloud cover should be breaking soon and then we’ll
gain. There, you see,’ he exclaimed, ‘the sun is struggling to shine through.’
As if by command, a thin yellow disk began to appear where he
pointed, though it soon faded again behind clotted clouds.
From the forecastle deck we crossed to the quarter deck and then to
the helm. Foley, a lean, bearded man, was at the wheel. Mr. Keetch, as
unsmiling as ever, stood by his side. The wheel itself was massive, with
hand spikes for easier gripping.” (p. 52-53)
Discussion Questions
1. How does Charlotte feel about the dirk, and
why? Do you think it is right for her to feel this
way? Explain your answer.
2. Why doesn’t Charlotte trust Zachariah? Would
you trust him?
3. Zachariah gave her the dirk as protection, he
said. Protection from what?
4. Charlotte talks about feeling like a princess
even though she was wearing the same clothes
she had worn the last four days and was very
dirty. What made her feel like a princess, if it
wasn’t her appearance?
5. Why, do you think that the Seahawk was known
for its speedy crossings?
Plot Diagram
Exposition
In the summer of 1832, Charlotte Doyle, age 13, is
looking forward to going to America to be with the
rest of her family. She was left in England
because he parents wanted her to finish schooling
before going back to the States like the rest of her
family. Charlotte is to sail on the Seahawk, a ship
owned by her father’s firm, along with some other
families. However, those families never show up,
and she is to go on the long voyage by
herself. There she meets Captain Jaggery, the
gentleman captain, and Zachariah, an old black,
who is the ships cook warns her of the perils of the
sea.
Narrative Hook
Charlotte overhears a conversation
between second mate Keetch and the
captain that doesn’t make any sense
to her, but foreshadows her fate.
Complications
As the only passenger among the crew, Charlotte finds
herself in a tricky predicament. The sailors, Zachariah
among them, tell of the captain’s cruelty, while the captain
warns Charlotte of an impending mutiny. Believing the
captain’s words, Charlotte becomes his eyes and ears
among the crew. Warning the captain just before the mutiny,
Charlotte watches in shock as the captain beats Zachariah to
death. As the crew mourns the death of their kind cook,
Charlotte comes to a decision. After facing a terrifying climb
to the top of the mast, she becomes part of the crew, much
to the fury of Captain Jaggery. Following a fierce hurricane,
the second mate is found dead, and Charlotte is
blamed. After being put through an unfair trial, she is found
guilty and sentenced to hang at sunrise. However, with the
help of someone long thought gone, she may pull through
and show Jaggery for the cruel despot that he is.
Climax
There are two exciting parts:
Charlotte’s trial, where she is found
guilty, and Charlotte and Captain
Jaggery’s face off on the bowsprit of
the Seahawk, just after her plan to
escape is revealed to him.
Denouement
Charlotte, now the captain of the
Seahawk, returns to
America. However, her father doesn’t
believe her story of what happened
on the ship and confines her to her
room. She begins to act ladylike and
proper again, and her parents are
pleased, but then she recovers her
sailors’ clothes and returns to the
Seahawk, her true home.
Credits
Avi. The True Confessions of Charlotte
Doyle. New York: Avon Flare, 1990
Kathleen Daniel. Elements of Literature,
Second Course. Austin: Hold, Rinehart and
Winston, 2000
“Concentration II” Mrs. Schnidman’s Home
Page. Teacher web. 17 May 2003
<http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/schnidj/
excerses/concentration.html>