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Copywork
About This Passage
This is the hinge of the whole plan: the narrator flings open the door and, 'without uttering a syllable,' stands as the dead Rogers among the mutineers. Copying it teaches the participial phrases stacked before the main verb, and shows how silence and stillness can frighten more than any words.
I immediately threw open the door of the companion-way, and, descending, without uttering a syllable, stood erect in the midst of the party.
Full copywork activity with handwriting lines available in the complete study guide.
Discussion Questions
Narration Prompt
Retell this chapter in order: how the three creep to the cabin, how Peters leads the mutineers to speak of ghosts, how the narrator appears dressed as the dead Rogers, how the fight is won with Tiger's sudden help, and how a tremendous storm then wrecks the brig. Then choose the moment you find most important and explain why.
Discussion Questions
- When the narrator appears as Rogers, the mutineers feel certain they are seeing a real ghost rather than a trick. Explain why the men's situation aboard the Grampus leaves them unable to imagine any other explanation. Use details from the chapter.
- When the apparition of Rogers appears, the mate falls dead while the others freeze and a few recover to fight. Explain why you think the mate reacts so differently from the rest of the crew. Use details from the chapter.
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Vocabulary Builder
Item 1
A trick meant to make someone believe what is not true.
Item 2
A ghostly figure that suddenly appears.
Item 3
Pretended; put on to deceive.
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Critical Thinking
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