Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
A new set of miniature sailor's clothes is given to Charlotte by Zachariah (8.24). These are in great contrast to the clothes she formerly wore on the boat, or liked to don in general. Charlotte's decision to take on the new clothes at the end of Chapter 12 becomes a sign of her change of role on the boat and her willingness to adapt in general. Captain Jaggery uses Charlotte's clothes against her in Chapter 18, arguing that a girl who wears pants is not unusual, but unnatural. Charlotte argues instead that it's not nature, but her station in life, that dictates her clothing (18.192).