Luxury or Liberation: The Story of Charlotte Doyle
The mysterious and invigorating novel, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, follows the story of a young girl in 1832 England, on a fateful voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to Providence on the Seahawk. However Charlotte, the protagonist, finds herself entangled in the insurrection of the crew against the captain and is even accused of murder. During her excursion, Charlotte undergoes a transformation that is demonstrated by her various outfits. For example, at the very start of the book she is dressed in exquisite clothing chosen by her father which represents her obedience to him, whereas at the end of the novel she is dressed as a tenacious sailor who has a greater perception of the world around her. Charlotte's transformation is meticulously illustrated by her ornate finery at the start, to an unkempt sailors outfit which shows how not only her clothing has changed, but how her soul has changed as well.
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When Charlotte is on the docks in Liverpool, before the commencement of her journey, she was dressed in “full skirts, high button shoes, and you may be sure, white gloves” (1). This expresses her overdressed fashion that is limiting her abilities. Shortly after, when Charlotte is boarding the Seahawk, she states that, “Surely, I mustn't travel alone!” (14). This shows how she must rely on others, more specifically her father, to protect her from any possible harm. Charlotte has never had a solitary or potentially hazardous moment in her life but her traveling alone represents the first step she must take in her everlasting