Preview
Copywork
About This Passage
These two sentences hold the chapter's most chilling moment of false friendship. A hundred islanders arrive to escort the crew, and the crew notices 'with some surprise' that they carry no weapons; when asked, Too-wit explains in his own language that there is 'no need of arms where all were brothers.' Copying it lets a reader feel how a single disarming gesture can lower a person's guard completely — the crew takes the unarmed welcome as proof of friendship, exactly as it was meant to be taken. Poe places this calm, brotherly promise right before the trap closes.
A hundred of the black-skin warriors met us at the landing for the purpose of accompanying us on our way. We noticed, however, with some surprise, that they were now entirely without arms; and, upon q...
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell this chapter in order: how Too-wit keeps his promise and brings fresh food that even cures the sick crew, while the two sides set up a friendly market and trade beads, knives, and red cloth for biche de mer; how Captain Guy makes an agreement with Too-wit to build drying-houses and leave three men behind while the schooner sails south; how the narrator pauses to explain, in careful detail, what biche de mer is and how it is cured; how, after many peaceful days, the crew goes to the village one last time and a hundred of Too-wit's men meet them carrying no weapons because 'all are brothers'; how the crew walks into a dark, narrow gorge with islanders before and behind; and how the chapter ends with a sudden, world-shaking concussion. Pause where the chapter most quietly warns of danger and explain your choice.
Discussion Questions
- At the leave-taking, a hundred of Too-wit's men meet the crew carrying no weapons, and Too-wit says there is no need of arms because 'all are brothers.' What might that unarmed welcome really mean, and why? Use details from the chapter.
- For days Too-wit's people gather biche de mer eagerly, help build the drying-houses, and trade fairly, even giving goods 'frequently without price.' Looking back, why might the islanders have made themselves so useful to the crew? Use details from the chapter.
+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide
Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
A trusted friend secretly turning against someone.
Item 2
A hidden attack set where victims cannot easily escape.
Item 3
A feeling that something is wrong or that someone cannot be trusted.
+ 5 more vocabulary words in the complete study guide
Critical Thinking
+ 5 more questions in the complete study guide
Get the complete study guide — free
Sign up and get your first book with every chapter included. Copywork, discussion questions, vocabulary, and critical thinking.
Sign up free