The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - Chapter 1 2. Describe the scene between Charlotte Doyle, Mr. Grummage, and the porter. Why do you suppose the porter acted the way he did?
In chapter 1 of "The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle," the scene takes place onboard the Seahawk, a ship traveling from Liverpool to Rhode Island in 1832. Charlotte Doyle is a thirteen-year-old girl dressed in a yellow dress, standing on the deck and feeling overwhelmed by the chaotic and bustling activity surrounding her. She is accompanied by Mr. Grummage, an old industrialist of considerable wealth, and the porter, who is carrying Charlotte's luggage.
As the porter approaches, Charlotte notices his sly grin and devious appearance. He looks at her dress and mocks her, stating that she will not survive the voyage dressed so inappropriately. He continues to taunt her and mock her wealth, making her feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.
The porter acted this way because he, like many of the ship's crew, had a hierarchical and class-conscious view of society. Charlotte, being an upper-class young girl, stood out among the lower-class crew members. The porter's actions were likely his attempt to exert power and assert his place within this hierarchical structure. By ridiculing her dress and possessions, he sought to remind Charlotte of her vulnerability and to put her in her supposed place.
Additionally, by mocking Charlotte, the porter may have been trying to undermine the authority and intentions of Mr. Grummage, who was responsible for Charlotte's safety onboard. Challenging her association with a wealthy and influential person might have been the porter's way of expressing his resentment towards these power dynamics.
Overall, the porter's actions can be attributed to a combination of class-consciousness, a desire for power and authority, and a sense of resentment towards societal hierarchies.