Question 1:

List the steps taken by the captain (i) to protect the ship when rough weather began. (ii) to check the flooding of the water in the ship.

Answer Discussion Share

(i) The author took the following steps to protect the ship when the rough weather began:

He grabbed the rails and sailed through the air into the ships main boom. He found the wheel, lined up the stern for the next wave and hung on. He managed to stretch canvas and secure waterproof hatch covers across the gaping holes. He connected an electric pump to an out-pipe.

(ii) To check the flooding of water in the ship, he connected an electric pump to an out-pipe. Later, after 36 hours of continuous pumping, they reached the last centimeters of water.

Question 2:

Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January.

Answer Discussion Share

The author tried to assure his children that they would make it. However, the author and his wife felt that the end was very near. The notable thing was that the children were not afraid to die as long as they were with their parents.

Question 3:

Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a subtitle to each section.

Answer Discussion Share

The first phase of the narration optimistically looks forward to a successful voyage. It talks about the confidence in the author and his wife, to have perfected the skills of seafaring. The phase foresaw an impending danger, arousing fright and horror in the minds of the author. The second phase saw a shift in the narration where the author and his wife had lost all hopes because they seemed to have got stuck in an extremely fatal and disastrous situation. The authors children gave him courage and hope because of which the author found his lost willpower. The last phase of the narration talks about the final victory of the voyagers who see an island, a symbol of hope and life for them. The narrative uses happy words like Can I have a hug?, gazed with relief, Most beautiful island in the world!, cheered, etc.

The three sections can be subtitled as: (i) Determination and will power strengthens motives (ii) Cloud of despair hovers

(iii) Rays of hope lead to ultimate victory

Question 1:

What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger?

Answer Discussion Share

When faced with danger, the author and his wife started losing hope and thought that their end was near. However, when the children were hurt and badly caught in danger, they remained optimistic and assured their parents in turn. They didnt fear death as long as they were with their parents. When the adults reached a state of complete despair, the children cheered them up and gave them courage by drawing a card which read, Oh, how I love you both. So this card is to say thank you and lets hope for the best.

Question 2:

How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure the direst stress?

Answer Discussion Share

Optimism helps to reduce the direct stress. This can be verified with the instance where the level of perseverance rose in the author after seeing the caricatures of him and Mary, drawn by the children. Optimism also rose when Sue said, were not afraid of dying if we can all be together. Optimism raises ones spirits and helps one overcome stress and difficulty.