The Secret Sharer | Short Essay Answer Key

Short Essay Answer Key

1. The story begins with the captain coming aboard his new ship. Explain how the captain is feeling at the beginning of the story and how the author paints that picture.

As the story opens, the captain is aboard the ship, looking around and describing the scenery. To one side, he sees small pieces of land or islets and to the other side, nothing but the stable, crisp, clear ocean. The tug that had brought the boat to its present location is now leaving and there is a sense of a new beginning; of embarking on a new journey. The author uses the captain's description of his surroundings to better explain the captain's feelings. He uses the environment to symbolize the captain's feelings.

2. Who are the main officers on board? How is the reader introduced to these characters? How are...
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