The story, ‘We’re Not afraid to Die-if We Can All Be Together’ is a story of extreme courage and skill exhibited by the narrator, his family and crewmen in a conflict with water and waves for survival. The episode shows that man can fight with nature if one is motivated. Man can do anything for the survival and for the family. the concept of 'never loose hope' reigns in the chapter.
Characters:
The narrator: 37 yrs old businessman
Mary: his wife
Suzanne: their daughter, 7 yrs old
Jonathan: their son, 6 yrs old
Larry vigil: Crewman, An American
Herb Seigler: Crewman, A Swiss
Summary:-
Preparation for the voyage
The family dreamt of sailing in the wake of the famous explorer Captain James Cook. It was 3-4 yrs long journey plan. They spent their leisure time in honing their sea-faring skills. Their ship 'Wavewalker' was professionally built and they had spent hours fitting it out. They had even tested it in the roughest weather they could find.
First phase of the Journey (Plymouth to Cape Town)
In July 1976, they set sail from Plymouth, England. It was 105000 kms journey which passed pleasantly.
Second phase of the Journey (Cape Town to Australia)
150000 kms journey. They hired two experienced sailors – Larry Vigil, an American and Herb Seigler, a Swiss, to tackle one of the world’s roughest seas – the Southern Indian Ocean.
On the second day out of Cape Town, -they began to encounter strong gales. On 25th December, the narrator's’s ship was in the southern Indian Ocean, 3500 kilometres to the east of Cape Town. The family celebrated their new year on board the ship. New year saw no improvement in the weather.
Caught in the storm
At dawn on January 2, the waves were so gigantic that compelled the sailors to slow their speed, drop storm jib and take other precautions. The danger was so obvious that the sailors completed life-raft drill, attached lifelines and life jackets.
Suddenly at 6 pm, a tremendous explosion shook the Wavewalker and the author was thrown overboard. The ship was about to capsize when another gigantic wave hit it tossing it upright once again. The author was thrown back onto the deck, his head and ribs smashed. In spite of his injuries, the narrator took charge of the situation. Somehow he found the wheel, lined up the stern for the next wave and hung on till Mary appeared and took charge of the wheel.
Struggling with the storm
Larry and Herb started pumping out water like madmen. The whole starboard side bulged inwards. The narrator managed to cover canvas across the gaps to prevent water from entering the ship. Then came more problems. Their hand pumps stopped working and electric pumps short-circuited. Two hand pumps were wrenched overboard. Fortunately, the narrator found a spare electric pump under the chartroom that worked. The entire night was spent in pumping, steering, repairing and sending radio signals. Suzanne's head was hit and had swollen alarmingly. She even had a deep cut on her arm.
Searching for an island
With the damage that Wavewalker had sustained it was impossible for the ship to reach Australia so they needed to locate some nearby island. The narrator checked charts and calculated that Ile Amsterdam, a French scientific base was their only hope.
Children's courage and Narrator's determination
Jon said that they were not afraid to die if they could all be together. Suzanne presented the narrator with a greeting card with a message to hope for the best. The narrator became more determined seeing his children’s courage.
Night of despair
Their situation was again desperate on 5th Jan. They stopped the boat with the help of an improvised anchor. Faced the storm with the undamaged side of the boat. They waited throughout the night waiting for their end.
A ray of hope
The narrator made rough estimate with spare compass which was not magnetically checked. He asked Larry to steer 185 degrees course to reach to the island. Finally, they reached lie Amsterdam, a volcanic island where they were welcomed by 28 inhabitants.
Thus, the collective strength and never failing optimism of the sailors made it possible for them to come out of the jaws of death. Though Jonathan and Suzanne did not do anything to save Wavewalker but their courage, forbearance, faith and optimism gave extra strength and persistence to the narrator and his team. The bravery and unwavering support of the strong-willed children is noteworthy in the story.
Questions:-
1. How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure the 'direst stress'?
2. How does the title justify the spirit of the story?
3. "Unity and Proper Plan can make impossible possible."- Discuss the statement with reference to the story.
4. 'Man is ever hungry of adventure'. Discuss with reference to the story.
Nice sir 👍
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