From Katie R.
On Monday March 5, the school attended a performance in the PAC. David Coffin presented what he had to say through traditional songs accompanied by an accordion. He spoke about topics such as Nantucket and whaling which both directly relate to our studies of Revenge of the Whale.
Did you enjoy the performance? What was your favorite (or least favorite) part of the show? Did you learn anything new or valuable? What were your overall thoughts of the presentation?
Monday, March 12, 2007
Friday, March 9, 2007
Cannibalism
From Peter H.
Would you eat a person if you wanted to survive?
I would rather die than eat a human. I could never live with the guilt. The crew of the Essex faced cannabalism amongst themselves when they were trying to avoid it from the people who inhabited the islands off South Aerica in the first place. The crew must have been delusional or their determination to survive must have been very strong to drive themselves to eat each other. If the crew had only been able to predict what might happen if they ran out of food, then they might have brought more survival tools, like fishing pools, fishing nets, etc.
Your thoughts?
Would you eat a person if you wanted to survive?
I would rather die than eat a human. I could never live with the guilt. The crew of the Essex faced cannabalism amongst themselves when they were trying to avoid it from the people who inhabited the islands off South Aerica in the first place. The crew must have been delusional or their determination to survive must have been very strong to drive themselves to eat each other. If the crew had only been able to predict what might happen if they ran out of food, then they might have brought more survival tools, like fishing pools, fishing nets, etc.
Your thoughts?
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Is It Worth Going to Sea?
Thoughts from classmate Isabella S.
In Revenge of the Whale, the main topic, other than survival and death, was whaling. Whaling was and still is a very difficult line of work. First, you have to catch the whale, drag it on board, cut it up, then separate the blubber from the skin and bones. It is very difficult labor. And, it is also very dangerous.
In Revenge of the Whale, the sailors went on a journey of a lifetime. They went on the Essex to go whaling, but ended up having to cast lots to survive. When they got hit on the side of the boat by the whale, the crew members tried to get as many supplies as they could into their lifeboats before the entire ship sank. They knew that from then on the journey was going to be long and hard. They didn't know before that a whale could attack a ship.
But, if you have any common sense, you would know that any type of travel on the sea isn't completely safe because your boat could sink or you could drown or you could even fall overboard. Many things could happen.
Now, if you knew that these things could happen to you, would you still go? If you knew that you would spend months and even years away from your family and could get attacked by a whale at any moment, would you still go? The sailors of the Essex knew all of this and they still went only to get paid a low wage. If you were living back at that thime, would you go whaling considering all of the things that could happen to you?
Please comment.
In Revenge of the Whale, the main topic, other than survival and death, was whaling. Whaling was and still is a very difficult line of work. First, you have to catch the whale, drag it on board, cut it up, then separate the blubber from the skin and bones. It is very difficult labor. And, it is also very dangerous.
In Revenge of the Whale, the sailors went on a journey of a lifetime. They went on the Essex to go whaling, but ended up having to cast lots to survive. When they got hit on the side of the boat by the whale, the crew members tried to get as many supplies as they could into their lifeboats before the entire ship sank. They knew that from then on the journey was going to be long and hard. They didn't know before that a whale could attack a ship.
But, if you have any common sense, you would know that any type of travel on the sea isn't completely safe because your boat could sink or you could drown or you could even fall overboard. Many things could happen.
Now, if you knew that these things could happen to you, would you still go? If you knew that you would spend months and even years away from your family and could get attacked by a whale at any moment, would you still go? The sailors of the Essex knew all of this and they still went only to get paid a low wage. If you were living back at that thime, would you go whaling considering all of the things that could happen to you?
Please comment.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Religion
From Charlotte Goff
In Revenge of the Whale, it seems like religion plays a key role in the survival ofthe men. Although you could argue that food (satisfied the crew's hunger), and water (quenched the crew's thirst) were more vital for their safe return, I believe that religion (nourished thier souls) was just as crucial. Boatsteerer Thomas Chappel isquoted on page 139: "I found religion not only useful, but absolutely necessary toenable me to bear up under these severe trials." The other examples of theimportance of religion include when African-American crew members such as Richard Peterson led the crew in prayer. I think that the crew of the Essex would not have survived if they had not used their faith to endure their overwhelming hardships.
Comments?
In Revenge of the Whale, it seems like religion plays a key role in the survival ofthe men. Although you could argue that food (satisfied the crew's hunger), and water (quenched the crew's thirst) were more vital for their safe return, I believe that religion (nourished thier souls) was just as crucial. Boatsteerer Thomas Chappel isquoted on page 139: "I found religion not only useful, but absolutely necessary toenable me to bear up under these severe trials." The other examples of theimportance of religion include when African-American crew members such as Richard Peterson led the crew in prayer. I think that the crew of the Essex would not have survived if they had not used their faith to endure their overwhelming hardships.
Comments?
Monday, February 12, 2007
Where Are We: Navigation
From Brian Felsenthal
During the voyage of the crew of the Essex, the sailors had absolutely no idea how far west they were off of South America. They had charts, but they were lost along with the Essex. The only pieces of navigational equipment they were able to salvage were the sextants , copies of Nathaniel Bowditch's "Navigator," and compasses. This lack of knowledge of position made the crew quite apprehensive of the surrounding isles. They were unwilling to stop at many places due to either the fear of cannibals or the possibility of island confusion.
What would you do if you were in Pollard's position? Would you stay on course for South America or head for possible supplies at the Society Islands? Would you have stayed at Henderson like Seth Weeks, William Wright, and Thomas Chappel, or left because you knew staying on the island meant death because of those other skeletons and lack of food?
During the voyage of the crew of the Essex, the sailors had absolutely no idea how far west they were off of South America. They had charts, but they were lost along with the Essex. The only pieces of navigational equipment they were able to salvage were the sextants , copies of Nathaniel Bowditch's "Navigator," and compasses. This lack of knowledge of position made the crew quite apprehensive of the surrounding isles. They were unwilling to stop at many places due to either the fear of cannibals or the possibility of island confusion.
What would you do if you were in Pollard's position? Would you stay on course for South America or head for possible supplies at the Society Islands? Would you have stayed at Henderson like Seth Weeks, William Wright, and Thomas Chappel, or left because you knew staying on the island meant death because of those other skeletons and lack of food?
Sunday, February 11, 2007
A note to the Whalers on this blog
From Mrs. Anthony
I am thrilled to see your postings and comments on the blog and the additions to the wiki. We have gotten off to a slower start than I had thought, so I don't want anyone to feel any pressure. Keep comments and postings coming and start to think through the project. After vacation, I will take another look at the grading and the number of points needed --not to worry, I will reduce the numbers required to get an A -- probably by around 20 points at least.
Everyone should make some contributions. Remember, your project could be a section of the wiki. See me for details.
If anyone has any concerns or is feeling any pressure, please see me. Mrs. Anthony
I am thrilled to see your postings and comments on the blog and the additions to the wiki. We have gotten off to a slower start than I had thought, so I don't want anyone to feel any pressure. Keep comments and postings coming and start to think through the project. After vacation, I will take another look at the grading and the number of points needed --not to worry, I will reduce the numbers required to get an A -- probably by around 20 points at least.
Everyone should make some contributions. Remember, your project could be a section of the wiki. See me for details.
If anyone has any concerns or is feeling any pressure, please see me. Mrs. Anthony
Casting Lots
From Sarah S.
For me, one of the most interesting issues in this book was the casting of lots. Casting lots was an old sea tradition, a completely random way to determine who would sacrifice themselves for the good of the crew—which essentially meant that they would allow the rest of the crew to kill them for food. This tradition raised many moral issues. Is it right to do this? Should one member of a group sacrifice him or herself for the benefit of many? What are everyone's thoughts on this issue? (I have some…so yes, Iwill be posting on my own blog-starter. :-) )
For me, one of the most interesting issues in this book was the casting of lots. Casting lots was an old sea tradition, a completely random way to determine who would sacrifice themselves for the good of the crew—which essentially meant that they would allow the rest of the crew to kill them for food. This tradition raised many moral issues. Is it right to do this? Should one member of a group sacrifice him or herself for the benefit of many? What are everyone's thoughts on this issue? (I have some…so yes, Iwill be posting on my own blog-starter. :-) )
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