Chapters 7 and 8

Chapters 7 & 8

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Chapter 7

Imagine that you are Clovis and you are humiliated on stage before a huge audience. How would you feel?

Summary

Maia is caught red-handed by Mrs. Carter who doesn’t let Maia forget how much she humiliated the family by turning up at the theatre looking like a ragamuffin. The twins join their mother and start teasing Maia and her friend, Clovis. Maia stops defending herself or Clovis as she knows it would be a waste of time. She stays quiet as Mrs Carter threatens to send her back to England. Maia and Miss Minton discuss their situation and Maia, despite all the troubles, confesses to Miss Minton how much she has come to like the place- the forest, the river, the Amazon and its inhabitants. She also tells Miss Minton about the boy who had taken her to Manaus.

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Mind Map

What are the words that come to your mind when you hear the word ‘jungle’? Think of the different characters in Journey to the River Sea and describe the ways they react to the prospect of being in the jungle.

What does this chapter tell us about the relationship between Miss Minton and Maia and what each of them is thinking? How do you think Maia feels about living in the Amazon and with the Carters? Give reasons. Why were the Carters keeping Maia if they didn’t really like her? What excuse was Miss Minton going to make to Mrs. Carter to enable Maia to go outside? How was Maia intending to help Clovis travel back to the England?

Q&A

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Chapter 8

Summary

Clovis manages to reach the Carters home. His initial impressions of a nice and comforting household is shattered by the twins’ laughter which immediately confirms him of the source of the jeer at the theatre. He, along with Maia, requests Mrs Carter to let him stay with him for a few days, which is flatly refused by her and she demands Miss Minton to take Clovis away. Meanwhile, the two Englishmen, the ‘Crows’ had returned to Manaus, famished and agitated to have taken so much pain to find Finn, but in vain.

Summary continued

The Ombuda Indians, joining the police chief, had fooled them with silly stories. On the other hand, Maia is worried about Clovis’ state and to add to her misery, the crows turn up at the Carters enquiring more about the missing boy. The twins share their suspicion about Maia’s involvement in hiding the lad which begins a ground search in vain. The next day, the Carters go to the church but Maia stays back out of illness and worry (about Clovis). Fortunately, things turn better for Maia when Furo, an employee of Carters and Finn’s confidante takes her to Finn who reveals to her that Clovis is safe and sound. When Clovis wakes up, Finn shares his plan with him and Maia. He would like Clovis to take his place and go with crows to England.

Character Analysis using STEAL Strategy

Choose a character from the novel and analyze it in the following manner.

Speaks

Looks

STEAL Strategy characterisation tool

Actions

Thinks

Effect on others

Q&A

1. Why did Clovis quickly find out that the Carters and their home was unpleasant?
2. How did the Ombuda tribe manage to confuse Mr. Low and Mr. Trapwood about where Bernard Taverner's son had gone?
3. What news did the hairdresser tell Mrs. Carter about that she was interested in? State why you think she was so interested.
4. Why had the Carters left England to come and stay in Brazil?
5. What had made Maia sick?
6. What plans did Finn have for Clovis that would allow him to go back to England?

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