Convictions
Allisyn Sinay
Convictions
Judith Silverthorne
Main Characters:
-Jennie Lawrence- She is a 14-year-old convict on the ship accused of stealing oats. She is the main
character of the book and is the one who is basically the lead of everything that happens.
character of the book and is the one who is basically the lead of everything that happens.
-Alice- She is a 10-year-old convict on the ship. In the book, she kind of brightens up the mood for
everyone else.
everyone else.
-Sarah- Older woman convict on the ship, and she keeps the motivation in Jennie and helps keep the
peace.
peace.
-Lizzie- She is another convict on the ship who seems to be very mean, yet brave. Throughout the
book, Lizzie does the things no other convict would do, and she has some secrets too.
book, Lizzie does the things no other convict would do, and she has some secrets too.
-Kate- She is an Irish convict on the ship who at first was not trusted by Jennie, but later Jennie comes
to realize that Kate is trustworthy and helpful.
to realize that Kate is trustworthy and helpful.
Main Conflict:
-The main characters battle through many hard experiences on the ship, but they work together to try
and figure a way out of the dreadful life they know they were not meant to live.
and figure a way out of the dreadful life they know they were not meant to live.
3 Important Actions:
-At the beginning of the book, Jennie is boarding the ship and that’s when she meets Sarah. Sarah
was behind Jennie and from that point on Sarah looked out for Jennie and Alice. That was a very
important event because Sarah was the one who helped Jennie throughout the whole book.
was behind Jennie and from that point on Sarah looked out for Jennie and Alice. That was a very
important event because Sarah was the one who helped Jennie throughout the whole book.
-During the storm when everyone was freaking out was important because it showed the true
personality of everyone on the ship. For instance, Red Bull only cared about himself and just wanted
for him to be safe, but Nate was helping everyone and making sure people were as safe as possible.
personality of everyone on the ship. For instance, Red Bull only cared about himself and just wanted
for him to be safe, but Nate was helping everyone and making sure people were as safe as possible.
-Throughout the whole book, each action taken by Meadows and Nate such as helping Jennie out of
the chains or convincing the captain to let them leave the ship without reporting them shows the
character of the two which is really important because if it weren’t for them, the women would not
have gotten to where they ended up.
the chains or convincing the captain to let them leave the ship without reporting them shows the
character of the two which is really important because if it weren’t for them, the women would not
have gotten to where they ended up.
Quotes:
- “A second guard snapped shackles on her ankles and then thrust her behind ten year old Alice.”
(Silverthorne 1). This shows the immediate cruelty toward the women on these ships. I picked it
because it is at the very beginning of the book and it shows how ruthless the guards are.
(Silverthorne 1). This shows the immediate cruelty toward the women on these ships. I picked it
because it is at the very beginning of the book and it shows how ruthless the guards are.
- “Several women dropped into the water and headed toward the opening, hampering one another as
they rushed to be saved. Many hung back, too terrified to move.” (Silverthorne 106). This description
explains something tragic the women had to go through. I picked it because it shows how strong
some of them were.
they rushed to be saved. Many hung back, too terrified to move.” (Silverthorne 106). This description
explains something tragic the women had to go through. I picked it because it shows how strong
some of them were.
- “Closing her eyes, she wondered what the new day would bring.” (Silverthorne 173). I love this quote
because it shows not only that the women are unaware of what could occur the next day but it also
implies that she isn’t afraid of what it brings and that shows strength.
because it shows not only that the women are unaware of what could occur the next day but it also
implies that she isn’t afraid of what it brings and that shows strength.
Historical Perspective:
-Convict ships for North America began sailing in 1776 when the War of Independence began. This is
significant because this was the beginning of American convict ships and that led to the future of the
cruelties on those ships.
significant because this was the beginning of American convict ships and that led to the future of the
cruelties on those ships.
-The Mary Anne, a female convict ship, set sail in 1840 with 10 convicts. This is significant because it
is one of the cases that Silverthorne related to in her book.
is one of the cases that Silverthorne related to in her book.
-The Emily, a male convict ship, set sail in 1842. This is significant because it is the other case that
Silverthorne related to in her book.
Silverthorne related to in her book.
Overall Success of the Book:
-I believe this book was beyond successful. It’s a detailed story that entertains the reader yet still
informs the reader about cruelties toward women and all convicts.
informs the reader about cruelties toward women and all convicts.
Author’s Facts and Statistics:
-Silverthorne combined the details, and names, of the Mary Anne and Emily that set sail in 1840 and
1842.
1842.
-The details that Silverthorne includes in her book are based on true events of real people.
-Silverthorne had to filter the majority of the details because they were so brutal.
-Judith Silverthorne wrote this book to tell the stories of women who received what they didn’t deserve,
and to bring it to the attention of people that the world needs to stop the cruel actions.
and to bring it to the attention of people that the world needs to stop the cruel actions.
Our books are kind of similar because we both have characters that are in their teenage years. They both battled through some kind of tough situation. You have a very well written blog.
ReplyDeleteIn both our books the main characters were teenage females that went through a struggle. Each of them had to face a conflict that took a lot for them to figure out and get through.
ReplyDeleteOur books are a lot alike in the sense that our main characters are accused of stealing a source of food that is needed for survival, and even though they could be punished, they do it anyways. Both main characters have to go through lots of hardships and must work together with the people around them to stay alive and get out of the predicament they are in.
ReplyDeleteOur books are very similar because their main character is a strong young girl. They both went through heavy obstacles that could hold them back, but they pushed through it. They also overcame secrets to get through their struggle.
ReplyDeleteOur books are similar. They both involve a young girl that has to be brave and has to figure this out.
ReplyDeleteOur books are a lot alike because they first take place on a ship. Also, the characters have some hard times to face like working and hiding secrets from others while doing so.
ReplyDelete