We're not Afraid to Die - Hornbill - Class 11 - CBSE English

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About the Author - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

Gordon Cook and Alan East are the authors of the inspiring and harrowing true story "We're not afraid to die... if we can all be together." Gordon Cook, a 37-year-old businessman, and his wife, Mary, shared a dream of sailing in the wake of the famous explorer, Captain James Cook. They embarked on a round-the-world voyage with their children, Jonathan and Suzanne, and two crew members, Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler. The story details their incredible survival and determination in the face of disaster, showcasing the courage and resilience of the entire family. The authors, through their first-hand account, provide readers with a gripping and emotional tale of adventure, adversity, and the unbreakable bond of a family.

Summary - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

In this harrowing true account, Gordon Cook, his wife Mary, and their children, Jonathan and Suzanne, set sail in July 1976 from Plymouth, England, to recreate Captain James Cook's round-the-world voyage. With their boat, Wavewalker, and two crew members, Larry Vigil and Herb Seigler, they aimed to complete a three-year, 105,000-kilometer journey.

The first leg of the trip took them down the west coast of Africa to Cape Town. From there, they ventured into the southern Indian Ocean, where they encountered continuous gales and gigantic waves. Despite the rough seas, the family celebrated Christmas and New Year's Day aboard the Wavewalker.

On January 2nd, the weather took a turn for the worse, and the family faced a massive wave that nearly capsized their boat. Gordon found himself overboard but was saved by his lifeline. The boat suffered extensive damage, with broken timbers and water filling the vessel.

The family worked tirelessly to pump out the water, make repairs, and keep the boat afloat. They faced numerous setbacks, including damaged pumps, lost equipment, and Suzanne's head injury. Despite their bleak situation, they maintained hope and determination, focusing on reaching the nearby islands of Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul.

With limited navigational tools, Gordon calculated their course and aimed for Ile Amsterdam. As the family faced another storm, their love and unity gave them the strength to endure. Miraculously, they spotted the island just in time and reached its shores, where they were welcomed by the local inhabitants.

The story of the Cook family's voyage is a testament to their courage, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that carried them through adversity. Their adventure serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of love in the face of overwhelming challenges.

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Themes - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

  1. Perseverance and Resilience:
    The story showcases the incredible determination of the Cook family and their crew as they face seemingly insurmountable challenges. Despite the relentless storms, life-threatening situations, and physical injuries, they continue to fight for their survival. Their unyielding spirit highlights the power of human resilience in the face of adversity.
  2. Family and Unity:
    The strong bond between the Cook family members serves as a driving force throughout their harrowing journey. Their...

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Plot - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

  1. Setting Out on a Voyage:
    The Cook family, inspired by Captain James Cook, embarks on a round-the-world journey aboard their boat, Wavewalker. The journey starts in Plymouth, England, and after a pleasant first leg, they reach Cape Town, where they take on additional crew members, Larry and Herb, to help navigate the treacherous southern Indian Ocean.
  2. Facing Unrelenting Storms:
    As they sail east, the family encounters powerful gales and massive waves that persist for weeks. Despite the rough ....

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Important Lines - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

  1. "We’re not afraid to die… if we can all be together."
    This line, spoken by Gordon's son, Jonathan, embodies the deep love and unity among the family members. Despite their dire circumstances, they find solace in being together and facing adversity as one.
  2. "I didn’t want to worry you when you were trying to save us all.”
    Sue's words ....

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Back Questions - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

  • List the steps taken by the captain
    (i) to protect the ship when rough weather began.
    (ii) to check the flooding of the water in the ship.

    (i) Steps taken by the captain to protect the ship when rough weather began:

    1. Slowing the boat down: They dropped the storm jib and lashed a heavy mooring rope in a loop across the stern to reduce their speed.
    2. Double-lashing everything: The captain made sure all items on the deck were secured to prevent them from being thrown overboard or causing injury.
    3. Going through life-raft drill: The family and crew practised their emergency procedures to ensure everyone was prepared in case they needed to abandon the ship.
    4. Attaching lifelines: The captain had everyone on board wear lifelines to prevent them from being swept overboard during the storm.
    5. Donning oilskins and life jackets: They wore protective clothing and life jackets to stay warm, dry, and buoyant in stormy conditions.

    (ii) Steps taken by the captain to check the flooding of the water in the ship:

    1. Assessing the damage: Gordon went below deck to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the source of the flooding.
    2. Initiating pumping efforts: He instructed Larry and Herb to pump out the water using the hand pumps and later utilized the electric pump.
    3. Repairing the damaged hull: Gordon used a hammer, screws, and canvas to patch up the damaged starboard side of the ship, preventing more water from entering.
    4. Clearing debris from pumps: When the hand pumps started to clog with debris, the captain worked to clear the blockages and keep the pumps operational.
    5. Utilizing a spare electric pump: Gordon remembered the additional electric pump under the chartroom floor and connected it to an out-pipe, which helped remove more water from the ship.

  • Describe the mental condition of the voyagers on 4 and 5 January. 

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  • Describe the shifts in the narration of the events as indicated in the three sections of the text. Give a subtitle to each section.

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  • What difference did you notice between the reaction of the adults and the children when faced with danger? 

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  • How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”? 

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  • What lessons do we learn from such hazardous experiences when we are face-to-face with death? 

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  • Why do you think people undertake such adventurous expeditions in spite of the risks involved? 

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We are not afraid to die - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

  • Why did the author undertake the sea journey?

    The author, Gordon Cook, and his wife, Mary, undertook the sea journey to duplicate the round-the-world voyage made 200 years earlier by Captain James Cook. They had dreamt of sailing in the wake of the famous explorer for a long time, and for the past 16 years, they had spent their leisure time honing their seafaring skills in British waters. The journey was an opportunity for them to fulfil their dream and embark on an adventurous expedition, following the path of the renowned explorer and experiencing the challenges of sailing the world's oceans.

  • What preparations did the author and his wife make for their round-the-world sea voyage?

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  • How did the first leg of their journey pass, and when and where did they sense the first sign of the disaster?

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  • What happened on the second day of the journey after the cape tour?

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  • Describe the wave which came over the boat during the storm?

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  • What happened to the author when the wave hit the boat?

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  • How did the stormy wave destroy the boat? What did the narrator do to prevent it from sinking?

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  • What problem did the hand pumps cause? How did the author resolve it?

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  • Why did the Captain get no replies for his Mayday calls?

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  • “.. .Sue was a brave girl". Give evidence in support of this statement.

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  • Even after surviving for 15 hours after the disaster struck, the voyagers were doubtful whether they would be able to reach their destination. What was their only hope?

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  • What was their respite, and why was the respite short-lived on Jan 4?

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  • Which remark of Jonathan is the essence of the entire episode, and how?

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  • What did the narrator do on Jan 6 when the storm got over?

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  • What was the impact of the children's behaviour on the narrator?

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  • Was it sheer luck or the skills of the Captain which saved the voyagers?

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  • Why did the writer feel that Ile Amsterdam was the most beautiful island?

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  • What did the narrator think of all after they landed on the island?

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  • The disaster left the voyagers shattered both physically and mentally, comment.

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  • “We are not afraid …………” is a story of courage and teamwork. Bring out the truth of this statement.

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  • “You are the best daddy in the whole world – and the best captain”. In what way did the narrator deserve this compliment in ‘We’re Not Afraid to Die’?

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We're not Afraid to Die - Line by line explanation in Hindi | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

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Quiz - We're not Afraid to Die | Hornbill | Class 11 Literature | CBSE English

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