Titanic: Voices from the Disaster
(Deborah Hopkinson)
(Deborah Hopkinson)
On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic departed from Southampton, England on her maiden voyage. What does maiden voyage mean?
It was the RMS Titanic's first voyage.
Why did Robin decide to join the army?
Two possible answers: (1.) Robin felt badly after 9-11 and wanted to do something to stand up for the United States. (2.) He also respected his uncle and wanted to follow in his footsteps.
How did Antonia and Jazz meet?
Peer-counseling program
What happened to the United States to put it in the current state mentioned in the novel?
China spread a deadly virus that killed much of the population.
Where did the Carpathia take survivors from the Titanic?
The Carpathia took all survivors (710 of 2224 passengers and crew) to New York. (56 of 109 children, 296 of 425 women, 338 of 1690 men were saved.)
How did the roadside attack affect Robin's mental state?
It really shook him and made him realize that war isn’t like what he saw during training. He was afraid something bad was going to happen to him.
What happened to Antonia’s dad?
He left the family.
What happened to Stephen’s father?
He was trying to escape from slavers and fell down a mudslide. Eventually he ended up in a coma and died.
What was the problem with the amount of lifeboats on the Titanic?
There weren't enough lifeboats for all the passengers. Eventually, after the sinking of the Titanic, laws were made that all ships must have adequate lifeboats and that drills must be done.
From what you have read in the story, describe the climate and terrain of Iraq. How is it different from Robin's hometown?
It is extremely hot and dry. There are sand storms that just happen and last for days.
What did it mean for Jazz to decorate her temple?
It referred to the way she decorated her body with tattoos, piercings, and the clothes she wore.
Why didn't Stephen trust men from Settler’s Landing when he first met them?
He was taught by his grandfather and father to not trust others because they believed everyone was out for themselves. He first thought they were slavers.
The Carpathia rescued survivors of the Titanic. Why did the Californian not rescue them when it was close enough to see the lights of the Titanic (approximately 10-20 miles)?
Two possible answers: (1.)The wireless operator on the Californian turned off his telegraph machine and never ended up hearing the distress message. (2.) They thought the flares were fireworks to celebrate the maiden voyage.
How did the Humvee get out of the marsh?
Three Iraqi men hooked a rope to the Humvee and then tied it up to mules. The mules pulled the Humvee out.
Why did Jazz use the auditorium during 5th period?
She wanted to practice the piano.
Why did Stephen steal medicine from Violet and then hide it?
He was hoping to sell or trade it when he and his dad left Settler’s Landing.
The Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable even if it acquired water. How did water flow from compartment to compartment when each one was sealed at the bottom?
Water began to overflow the tops of the bulkheads, which allowed water to flow from one compartment to the other.
In his last letter to Richie, Robin says he would doubt the truth of anyone saying in the future that we had won the war in Iraq and also doubt it if they said we had lost. What does he mean?
He means that no one is really a winner or loser in the war. There are too many deaths to be a winner and too many people willing to die for a cause to be a loser. Basically, there is nothing good about war.
Why was Antonia’s mom hospitalized?
She was clinically depressed.
Why did Stephen decide to stay in Settler’s Landing?
He finally felt like he had a home and a family. And he wanted to continue to teach children.