The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
Chapter Guided Questions
Use this as a guide to help you study for the final supplementary test on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
This is only a guide, so you should have an understanding of the critical elements of the book as well.
(main theme/themes, setting, main conflict/conflicts, plot, point of view, and main characters).
Number Assignment Description Chapter
Describe our narrator, Charlotte Doyle, as she was before crossing the
Atlantic Ocean aboard the Seahawk in 1832. Charlotte says, “I am not— An
1 for reasons you will soon discover—the same Charlotte Doyle.” What do Important
you think she means by this? Predict why and how she changes during Warning
her voyage.
Describe the scene between Charlotte Doyle, Mr. Grummage, and the
2 1
porter. Why do you suppose the porter acted the way he did?
Who were supposed to accompany Charlotte on her journey aboard the
3 Seahawk? Why couldn’t they make it? How does Charlotte feel about 2
traveling now that she will be alone?
Describe Zachariah. How does Zachariah show that he wishes to be
4 Charlotte’s friend? What does Zachariah give Charlotte and why? How 2
does Charlotte respond to all of this?
Describe Captain Jaggery. What do you think Captain Jaggery means by,
“We shall have no democracy here. No parliaments. No congressman.
5 3
There’s but one master on this ship, and that is me”? What does Charlotte
ask of Captain Jaggery? How does he respond?
Charlotte tries to return the dirk to Zachariah. Why won’t he take it back?
6 Describe the conversation that Charlotte and Zachariah have about the 4
crew.
Describe Charlotte’s visit to Captain Jaggery’s cabin. Why does Captain
7 Jaggery want to be friends with Charlotte? What does Captain Jaggery 5
ask her to do for him during their voyage?
While retrieving things from her luggage in the steerage, Charlotte sees
8 6 and 7
something. What does she see? How does she react?
Now that Charlotte is “something of a ‘ship’s boy,” Zachariah gives
9 Charlotte something. What does he give her? Why? How does she react? 8
Do you think she will use it in the future? Why or why not?
Charlotte goes to the forecastle (crew’s cabin) to retrieve a needle for Mr.
Ewing. What are four things that Charlotte sees or hears while in the
10 9
forecastle? What does Charlotte decide to do because of what she has
seen and heard?
What does Captain Jaggery do now that Charlotte has informed him of the
11 10 and 11
crew’s plan for revenge and mutiny? Describe the events that follow.
Charlotte approaches both Captain Jaggery and the crew to apologize.
How does Captain Jaggery treat her? How does the crew treat her? In
12 12
what ways are their treatments of her the same? In what ways are their
treatments different?
13 Charlotte wants to join the crew as a way to replace Mr. Johnson, but the 13
crew doubts her ability to be one of them. What does Charlotte do to join
the crew? How does she feel about doing this? Would you have done
this? Why or why not?
How does Captain Jaggery treat Mister Doyle now that she is part of the
14 14
crew?
15 Describe what happens during the storm. 15
Where is Charlotte taken after Captain Jaggery accuses her of the murder
16 of Mr. Hollybrass? Who does Charlotte meet while there? What do you 16
think will happen next? Why do you think this?
17 Describe Charlotte’s trial. How would you feel if you were Charlotte? 18
Who killed Mr. Hollybrass? Why? What are Charlotte and Zachariah
18 19 and 20
going to do to prove it?
Describe the circumstances that led to Charlotte becoming the ship’s
19 21
captain.
Describe Charlotte’s return to her family and life in Rhode Island. How
20 22
does Charlotte feel about being home? What does Charlotte secretly do?
