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In the Heart of the Sea Theme of Fear

In the Heart of the Sea is not for the faint of heart. In this book, you'll witness the awesome power of furious sperm whales. You'll feel the pure terror of being stranded thousands of miles away from human civilization. You'll watch in horror as friends and family are forced in desperation to eat each other. It's like watching Jaws, Open Water, and Silence of the Lambs at the same time. Okay, so maybe we're exaggerating (just a tad), but trust us on this one—this book just might make a Cetaphobiac out of you.

Questions About Fear

  1. Why does Chase become obsessed with the whale that attacked the Essex?
  2. How is Benjamin Lawrence able to manage his fear?
  3. In what ways does fear contribute to the Essex disaster?
  4. How is Chase able to keep morale high on his boat?