Question

In sundry of these storms, the winds were so fierce, and the seas so high, as they could not bear a knot of sail, but were forced to hulking for divers days together. And in one of them, as they thus lay at hull in a mighty storm, a lusty young man called John Howland, coming upon some occasion above the gratings, was, with a seel of the ship, halyards[ii] which hung overboard and ran out at length. Yet he held his hold (though he was sundry fathoms underwater) till he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and then with a boat hook and other means got into the ship again, and his life saved. And though he was somewhat ill with it, yet he lived many years after and became a profitable member both in church and commonwealth. In all this voyage, there died but one of the passengers, which was William Butten, a youth, servant to Samuel Fuller, when they drew near the coast.

Sundry: various or assorted.
Seele: a sudden lurch to one side.
Hull: to float without using the sails.
Halyards: ropes for raising a sail.
Identify the central idea of this paragraph; add ual evidence to support your central idea:

Central Idea: John Howland's survival and contributions to the colony.
ual Evidence: And in one of them, as they thus lay at hull in a mighty storm, a lusty young man called John Howland, coming upon some occasion above the gratings, was, with a seel of the ship, halyards[ii] which hung overboard and ran out at length. Yet he held his hold (though he was sundry fathoms underwater) till he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and then with a boat hook and other means got into the ship again, and his life saved.

Answer 1

The narrative passages focus on the survival and camaraderie of a shipwrecked crew, emphasizing the resilience and determination of people in life-threatening situations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpts provided are from a narrative detailing the experiences of a group of men at sea, facing the dangers of shipwreck and struggling for survival. The central theme across these passages is the human will to survive and the deep bond formed between individuals when faced with life-threatening situations. For example, the decision to attempt a run through the surf underlines the collective determination to survive despite the odds. The surfman's wily handling of the boat and the captain's calculated commands highlight their expertise and the trust placed in one another.

The crew's resilience, camaraderie, and determination play a critical role in their survival. The narrative illustrates the instinct for self-preservation and the profound connection humans can forge when their lives depend on it.