The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle - Chapter 2 2. Describe Zachariah. How does Zachariah show that he wishes to be Charlotte’s friend? What does Zachariah give Charlotte and why? How does Charlotte respond to all of this?
Zachariah is an African American sailor onboard the Seahawk, and he is initially introduced as a cook. He is a tall and robust man in his sixties. He has a distinctive voice, which Charlotte describes as a mix of Boston and West Indies accents. He wears his hair in dreadlocks, and his clothing reflects his African heritage.
Zachariah shows his interest in being Charlotte's friend by talking to her and treating her with kindness. Despite being initially cautious due to her noble upbringing, Zachariah consistently approaches Charlotte with respect and equality, which is different from how the other crew members treat her.
To establish friendship, Zachariah offers Charlotte a gift - a belaying palm, which is a special kind of seafaring glove worn to protect the palms when handling ropes. He gives it to her to help her fit in and be useful on the ship. By giving her this gift, he shows his desire to include her in the ship's community and help her adapt to her new life.
Initially, Charlotte is hesitant to accept Zachariah's friendship and gift. She is overwhelmed by the gesture and worried that accepting it might be seen as a sign of weakness. However, she eventually accepts the glove, realizing that maintaining her pride won't change her circumstances or help her fit in.
Overall, Charlotte responds to Zachariah's friendship with gratitude and eventual acceptance. She starts to recognize the value of having a friend onboard and begins to trust Zachariah's intentions, as he continues to prove himself as a reliable and genuine companion.