We’re Not Afraid to Die…if We Can All
Be Together
1. List the steps taken by the captain
(i) to protect the ship when rough
weather began.
(ii) to check the flooding of the water
in the ship.
Answer(i) In
order to protect the ship from rough weather, the capitan slowed down the ship,
dropped the storm jib and lashed heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern.
Then they double-fastened everything and went through their life-raft drill.
(ii) To check the flooding of water in the
ship, he and his crewmen continuously pumped water out of the ship. He put
waterproof hatch covers across the gaping holes.When the two hands pump blocked
and electric pump short circuited, he found another electric pump, connected it
to an out-pipe and started it.
2. Describe the mental condition of the
voyagers on 4 and 5 January.
Answer: On
January 4, the voyagers felt relieved after rigorous practice of continuous
pumping. They had their first meal in almost two days. Their respite was
short-lived. They faced dangerous situation on January 5, and they thought they
were going to die. They were under great mental stress.
3. Describe the shifts in the narration
of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a subtitle
to each section.
Answer: The
first section: The first section opens on a cheerful note. They begin the
voyage and despite of the bad weather, they celebrate Christmas on the
‘Wavewalker’.
The second section: This part of narration
covers the hazards faced by the voyagers. There is a shift in the narration
from cheerful to intensity. But as they continue to face bad weather conditions
the narrator loses hope. The children remain fearless, courageous and
optimistic throughout.
The third section: The children provide
moral support to the narrator and he continues with his efforts. Under the
captaincy of the narrator, they manage to reach Ile Amsterdam. This section is
filled with emotions.
Subtitle: (Please attempt it yourself)
Talking about the Text
1. What difference did you notice
between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger?
Answer:
There was lot of difference between the way in which the adults and children
reacted when faced danger. The adults lost hope and waited for their end with a
heavy heart. At this point, they are motivated by the children. The children
offered moral support to the adults. They displayed maturity and tolerance
