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?
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
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. :-) )
Survival
From Isabella S.
The crew on the Essex were very remarkable. They suffered cold, fatigue, and many other symptoms. They couldn't even bear to stand up. "...they barely had the strength 'to move about in our boats, to perform the necessary labors appertaining to [them]'........upon our attempt to rise again, the blood would rush into the head, and an intoxicating blindness come over us, almost to occasion our suddendly falling down again." To survive they had to eat the dead shipmates' bodies to fill thier empty stomachs, and they drank the blood.
Do you think this was right? Do you think they should have thrown the body overboard? Should they have kept the body? What would you have done in that situation? Was that kind of ironic was that all of the colored ship-mates died first. Do you think that was a coincidence or was it planned out that way? What are your thoughts on this?This is something that I was thinking about and it really interested me. Do you think that it is ok?
The crew on the Essex were very remarkable. They suffered cold, fatigue, and many other symptoms. They couldn't even bear to stand up. "...they barely had the strength 'to move about in our boats, to perform the necessary labors appertaining to [them]'........upon our attempt to rise again, the blood would rush into the head, and an intoxicating blindness come over us, almost to occasion our suddendly falling down again." To survive they had to eat the dead shipmates' bodies to fill thier empty stomachs, and they drank the blood.
Do you think this was right? Do you think they should have thrown the body overboard? Should they have kept the body? What would you have done in that situation? Was that kind of ironic was that all of the colored ship-mates died first. Do you think that was a coincidence or was it planned out that way? What are your thoughts on this?This is something that I was thinking about and it really interested me. Do you think that it is ok?
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Starvation.....
Classmate Katie R. writes:
After the shipwreck, the men of the Essex faced many tragic struggles. The starvation and dehydration of the men were devastating. As a reader, it was difficult to imagine how they dealt with it. For many of the men, they not only felt pain, but their bodies were falling apart. “They rowed like old men- wincing and groaning… their bodies had been consuming themselves… the simple act of sitting to be a torture … their arms had shrunk to sticks as their muscles withered.” As people today, we all complain at one time or another that we are starving or thirsty. But do we ever have the right to say that? Do we take these words for granted? Do we even have the right to say these words, knowing what the men of the Essex endured? What were your feelings and thoughts while reading this part of the book?
After the shipwreck, the men of the Essex faced many tragic struggles. The starvation and dehydration of the men were devastating. As a reader, it was difficult to imagine how they dealt with it. For many of the men, they not only felt pain, but their bodies were falling apart. “They rowed like old men- wincing and groaning… their bodies had been consuming themselves… the simple act of sitting to be a torture … their arms had shrunk to sticks as their muscles withered.” As people today, we all complain at one time or another that we are starving or thirsty. But do we ever have the right to say that? Do we take these words for granted? Do we even have the right to say these words, knowing what the men of the Essex endured? What were your feelings and thoughts while reading this part of the book?
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