The Open Boat | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Billie - This is the name of the only character who does not survive the ordeal in the open boat.

Captain - Though injured and forlorn, this character feels that it is his duty to guide the men to safety.

Cook - This character works steadily bailing seawater out of the boat.

Correspondent - This character is semi-autobiographical and is the only character in the story to whose thoughts the reader is given direct access.

Oiler - This character makes the strongest effort to swim ashore, but he drowns in the shallow water...
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