Octavia Cavanaugh
Leitzinger/period 9 & 10
ELA/ Charlotte Doyle essay
31 October 2015
Charlotte’s Character Traits
In the book, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Avi writes a historical fiction piece about a
sailing ship journey across the Atlantic Ocean in 1832. Charlotte, a 13-year-old girl, is the protagonist
who changes from a young, proper lady, into a self-confident sailor. During the voyage, she struggles
with her role as proper girl when evil is being done to crew members, but by the end she is able to stand
up for justice. Charlotte Doyle possesses many character traits which help her to become a stronger
individual during her journey from England to Rhode Island.
One trait that Charlotte possesses that helps her become a stronger individual is the trait of
valor. Valor means to have exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger. One example of Charlotte
showing valor is when she is climbing up the main mast to complete a test the crew demands of her in
order to become a crewmember. She climbs part way up the rigging, makes a mistake and is scared.
“For a moment I considered backing down and starting afresh. I stole a quick glance below. The crew’s
faces were turned up toward me. I understood that they would take the smallest movement down as
retreat. I had to continue.” (p 114) Charlotte doesn’t want to show weakness, so she continues to climb.
This is courageous because the act is so dangerous it could mean the end of her life. She wants to prove
to the crew that she is capable and is sorry for the pain she’s caused them, so she heroically risks
everything.
Another trait Charlotte possesses that helps her become a stronger individual is the trait of
daringness. Daringness means courage combined with a willingness to take risks or attempt difficult or
unconventional things. Charlotte shows daringness when she’s just freed the jib on the bowsprit, as
Jaggery has ordered, and he yells at her because she caused them to lose time. “Coward!” Charlotte
screamed at him. “Fraud!” She continues, “I’ll go right to the courts!” and she spat upon the deck by his
boots (p 129). Charlotte is willing to risk more of Jaggery’s wrath, and perhaps death itself if he decides
to have her keelhauled, but she confronts that risk because she knows he’s evil and she can’t put up
with it any longer. She’d rather face death than to face more injustice.
A final trait Charlotte possesses that helps her become a stronger individual is the trait of
compassion. Compassion means the humane quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others and
wanting to do something about it. Charlotte shows compassion to Zachariah when he is being whipped,
nearly to death, by Mr. Hollybrass under the instruction of Captain Jaggery. Up to this time, Charlotte
has trusted in the goodness of Captain Jaggery, but now she realizes the abuse of Zachariah isn’t right.
She is compelled to take action.
“I could bear it no longer. In a surge of tears and agonized guilt, I hurled myself at Hollybrass, … I
managed to snatch hold of the whip…trying to throw it overboard. But Captain Jaggery was too
quick…he grabbed ahold of me. ‘You mustn’t,’ I kept saying. In a gesture of defense I pulled up
my arm, and so doing flicked the whip through the air, inflicting a cut across the captain’s face.”
(p 93-94)
Charlotte’s compassion toward Zachariah is shown in an instant. She doesn’t have time to think through
the consequences of her action, she simply reacts. She realizes that Zachariah doesn’t deserve the
painful abuse, so she unselfishly puts herself in harm, in order to keep Zachariah from suffering more
punishment.
Charlotte displays the three character traits of valor, daringness, and compassion which help her
to become a stronger individual during her journey across the Atlantic. In the beginning of the story, she
is naïve and immature, but the chaotic events in the middle of the story thrust her into acting out her
inner instincts and beliefs. By the end of the story, she is no longer shy and easily swayed by powerful
figures. Instead, she has the strength to stand up for what she believes is right, while making sure that
innocent people aren’t hurt. Avi’s message of justice and equality is evident throughout the book.