WE DIDN’T MEAN TO GO TO SEABY ARTHUR RANSOME
Arthur Ransomeo Born in Jan 1884,
died in June 1967o An English author
and jounalisto This book reflects his
voyage across the North Sea to Flushing
o The boat Goblin is actually his own boat
SETTINGEngland, Pin Mill, Harwich, Shotley
HollandThe North Sea
Harwich HarbourBack then 2016
MAIN CHARACTERSTed WalkerMrs. Mary WalkerJohn WalkerSusan WalkerTitty WalkerRoger WalkerJim Brading
MINOR CHARACTERSMs. PowellBridget WalkerFrank ( the boatman)Dutch pilot
LANGUAGE AND STYLESimple modern-day informal language with some maritime jargon and graphology
Literary devicesSimile, metaphor, personification, repetition
THEMESDo not underestimate the capabilities of children.
Perseverance, courage bring about success.
ThemesCooperation and teamwork go a long way.
Keeping a promise is important.
Moral ValuesPerseverance and determination.
Compassion and kindness
Moral ValuesHonestyLoveCourageCooperation and teamworkResponsibility
SynopsisIn “We Didn’t Mean to go to sea, four children ( John, Susan, Titty and
Roger) go to Pin Mill with their mother, Mrs. Walker, and younger sister, Bridget
to await their father’s return to Britain. There, they meet a young sailor named Jim Brading, owner of the Goblin. Jim invites them for a quiet cruise on the River Orwell. He reassures
Mrs. Walker that he will not take the four children to sea. He doesn’t anticipate the fact that he will run out of petrol.
He leaves the four children in his small yatch to get some petrol but meets with an accident and loses consciousness.
He does not return to the Goblin. The tide turns and the children drift out to sea in his yatch.
They manage to survive the dangerous North Sea, but they are more worried about ‘disobeying’ their mother.
The Goblin ends up all the way to Holland where they get a pilot to guide the yacht to safety.
There, they bump into their father. With his guidance, they sail back to England together.