How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Then I dressed. Unfortunately my starched clothing had gone everlastingly limp and became increasingly soiled. Hardly a button remained in place. Though I tried not to touch anything, those white gloves of mine had turned the color of slate. (8.4)
Charlotte finds it difficult to maintain her appearance on the boat, and her clothes become utterly filthy. Is her outward appearance the only thing that is changing?
Quote #5
At last I heaved myself off the bed, and from under it brought out the canvas seaman's garments Zachariah had made for me. Some roaches skittered away. I held the wrinkled clothing up and looked at its crude shape, its mean design. The feel of the crude cloth made me falter. (12.106)
Given Charlotte's previous emphasis on proper dressing, her new wardrobe – crude seaman's garments – marks a larger transformation. Is putting on wrinkled clothes kind of a big deal for Charlotte? How come?
Quote #6
"Hold out your hands," he demanded.
Fisk nudged me. I held them out, palms up.
Foley peered over them. "Like bloody cream," he said with disgust. "Touch mine!" he insisted and extended his. Gingerly, I touched one of them. His skin was like rough leather.
"That's the hands you'd get, miss. Like an animal. Is that what you want?"
"I don't care," I said stoutly. (13.19-13.23)
Charlotte's former attitudes about keeping up appearances have gone out the window. Not only is she willing to put on sailor pants, but she's also fine with having her skin get as tough as animal hide. Her new station in life – that of a sailor – will physically change her body, she knows, but not her humanity.