VOC A B U L A R Y / CON T E X T / D E F I N I T I ON
megaphone
“…Captain Stahl, using a
megaphone, had taunted,
'See you in the city'!” (a funnel
taunted
shaped device used to direct and
amplify the voice) (mocked,
teased, jeered)
homage
“His beard - shaped in homage to
his hero Abraham Lincoln - gave
him a look of great dignity.”
(respect, to honor)
listless
“…but this morning he was listless.”
(without energy, lethargic)
scrutinizing
“He kept scrutinizing the bay.”
(studying, inspecting)
Question/Predict/Evaluate
1. What information does the account book hold? Why is this important to the family business?
2. What war would Thad's father have served in? What is your evidence for your answer? Which side in the
war would Captain Bates and Mr. Oliver have fought on? (Research topic: What part did the navy have in
this war, especially at Vicksburg? What was the Monitor?)
3. Describe what an observer would see in the harbor.
4. What do you think is wrong with Mr. Oliver? What are his symptoms?
5. Abigail has her own job on the ship's whistle. What is its purpose? How does the crew communicate with
each other from deck to deck?
6. How does Captain Bates treat Thad? Why doesn't Captain Bates want Thad to steer? How would you feel if
you were Thad?
The Newspaper Connection
1. For Thad and Abigail's mother, “the navy meant war's awfulness”. Though 120 years later, the world still is
troubled by war. Find stories in the news that report “war's awfulness” in this century.
2. Tables, graphs, and charts display information in a way that is easy to understand. Newspapers use these
graphics to deliver the news in clear and concise ways to its readers. Find an example from the news that
illustrates this point. Explain how graphics made the news more understandable.
3. Now set up a chart that Thad could use to keep track of his accounts.
Casting Off
CHA P T E R 2
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