Iceberg

“The Titanic was everything the papers had described: as powerful as the Titans of mythology, and as elegant as if it were a floating castle. It did not respect the might of this world because it was the might of this world.”

These two similes convey the power and majesty of the Titanic. The fanfare and excitement surrounding the ship is profound. Additionally, these lines contain a subtle clue foreshadowing the Titanic’s eventual fate since its lack of “respect” for the natural world is what ultimately leads to its downfall.

“My adventure was beginning, and we had not yet even left port.”

The spectacle of the ship’s imminent departure on its first voyage creates an atmosphere of electric anticipation, and Hazel has already met two of the people that become her dear friends on the voyage. Her boldness leads her to accept Charlie’s offer to take her up to the first-class deck even though she isn’t supposed to be there. Hazel’s first steps into forbidden territory also mark the thematic beginnings of Friendship and Overcoming Class Divisions.

“I was at the back of the ship, and I thought it must be the finest view possible. Because here, the people sat and looked at where they had come from: poverty, hunger, every struggle to survive. And now they were leaving it all behind.”

Hazel notices how the first-class passengers have a view of the front of the ship, the second-class passengers have a view from the side, and the third-class passengers look out the back. On board are hundreds of people who dream of a better life, and many in third class sold everything they owned just for a chance to go to the US.