Final Entry

Why do you believe Nathaniel Philbrick ended the novel with the words "once the end has been reached and all hope, passion, and force of will have been expended the bones may be all that are left." Consider these words metaphorically in reference to the survivors (how they "fare in the dark shadow of their story,") the eventual fate of Nantucket and the whale itself.

Chapter 11
Philbrick very effectively uses several natural events as metaphorical to the sailor's experiences. Explore the parallel (metaphor) between the hawks and the tropic birds (pg. 147) and the situation which the castaways face as they grapple with survival in Chapter 11. How does their being Quaker play into the equation. Who are the hawks and who are the tropic birds? Please use the rubric to frame your answer.

Optional (for Extra Credit) Chapters 9 & 10

If you were one of the surviving sailors, would you have chosen to stay on Henderson Island or push on 3,000 miles to South America? Use details from the book to qualify and support your answer. Would it have made a difference if you were Pollard or Chase?

For the next two chapters 7 and 8,
I would like you to simply respond to the content intelligently and thoughtfully. Have a true 'dialogue' with your classmates--respond more than once, if you feel so motivated. For each chapter, include at least two insights, thoughts, questions or connections to your own life experiences. Consider the limits of human endurance!

III: Journal Entry

Write a journal entry from the point-of-view of Nickerson, Pollard or Chase. Thoroughly explore the question of WHY the whale attacked the Essex. Don't just RETELL what happened. Do support your explanation with details.