The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Race Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

The captain remained motionless too, his face transfigured by surprise and pain. Slowly he lifted a hand to his cheek, touched it delicately, then examined his fingertips. When he saw they were bloody he swore a savage oath, jumped forward and tore the whip from my hand, whirled about and began beating Zachariah with such fury as I had never seen. Finally, spent, he flung the whip down and marched from the deck. (11.64)

Zachariah receives the punishment, it seems, for Charlotte's transgression against the captain. (That is, her accidentally flicking Jaggery with the whip.) How are Zachariah and Charlotte related in the captain's mind? In ours?

Quote #5

"Charlotte, don't you see me?" came the voice, more insistent than before. Now the light - it was a small candle - was held up and I could see more of him. The very image of Zachariah - but sadly altered too. In life he had never appeared strong or large. In death he'd become shriveled, gray-bearded. (17.6)

In this scene Zachariah returns, seemingly, from the grave. He never really died, of course, but the image and idea of resurrection is still quite important. What did Zachariah's sacrifice accomplish on the ship? What change did it bring about?

Quote #6

"Zachariah..."

"What?"

"You're... a black man."

"That I am. But this state of Rhode Island where we're going, it has no more slaves." He suddenly checked himself. "Or am I wrong?"

"A black man, Zachariah, a common sailor, testifying against a white officer..." I didn't have the heart to finish. (17.39-17.43)

Even though he's a free man and supposedly equal to others, Zachariah still faces potential injustices in America. Why would Captain Jaggery's word be taken over Zachariah's?