How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Once I had showed myself willing to do what they did – by climbing in the rigging – once they saw me stand up to Jaggery, an intense apprenticeship commenced. And for it the crewman became my teachers. They helped me, worked with me, guided me past the mortal dangers that lurked in every task. In this they were far more patient with all my repeated errors than those teachers at the Barrington School for Better Girls when there was nothing to learn but penmanship, spelling, and the ancient authors of morality. (14.21)
After proving herself to the crew, Charlotte's re-education officially commences, and she begins acquiring a new set of skills. What is it, exactly, that she's learning? Clearly, she's not practicing penmanship or spelling. But we don't think her education is only about deck swabbing either. What do you think her new education is made up of?
Quote #8
"When I sent you to the Barrington School for Better Girls, I had been, reliably informed that it would provide you with an education consistent with your station in life, to say nothing of your expectations and ours for you. I was deceived. Somehow your teachers there filled your mind with the unfortunate capacity to invent the most outlandish, not to say unnatural tales." (22.159)
Charlotte's father believes her journal to be pure fiction. Interestingly, he blames her "unnatural" tales on the instructors at the Barrington School for Better Girls – oh, but of course. Why is the idea that Charlotte might actually be telling the truth – or that she could have learned something from the sailors – so hard for him to believe? Better yet, why does he call her writing unnatural? Is it possible for the written word to violate the laws of nature?
Quote #9
"What you have written is rubbish of the worst taste. Stuff for penny dreadfuls. Beneath contempt. Justice, Charlotte, is poorly served when you speak ill of your betters such as poor Captain Jaggery. More to the point, Charlotte, your spelling is an absolute disgrace. Never have I seen such abominations. And the grammar... It is beyond belief!
An American tutor, miss, shall instill a little order in your mind. But the spelling, Charlotte, the spelling..." (22.163-22.164)
It's the grammar that's beyond belief? Really, Mr. Doyle? Really? (Cue Seth and Amy voice.) Weirdly enough, the main concern of Charlotte's father isn't so much the content of her journal (the meaning of her words) but the form (her spelling and punctuation of those words). Right. Do you think maybe Charlotte's father might be missing the bigger point? Is he attempting to maintain order or merely the appearance of it? Think of this scene in relation to Captain Jaggery's battered cabin on board the Seahawk (21.36).