English

How does the story suggest that optimism helps to endure “the direst stress”? - English Core

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Question

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

Answer in Brief
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Solution

Optimism is a determination to overcome difficulties. It raises one’s spirits and helps one overcome stress and difficulty with ease. The story displays courage and optimism throughout. Survival happens only because of the optimistic struggle that the family carries on with.

The level of perseverance in the author rises when Jonathan says, “we’re not afraid of dying if we can all be together. Besides, the caricatures of him and Mary, drawn by Sue, helps his determination and optimism to grow many folds. The positive outlook of the children infuses positivity in the narrator. He rigorously calculates their position and finally asks Larry to steer a course of 185 degrees. Though he had lost all hope by then, he did not show it and optimistically told Larry that they would spot the island by about 5 P.M. Fortunately, their struggle and optimism pays off and they manage to find Ile Amsterdam by evening.

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Chapter 2: We’re Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together - Talking about the text [Page 18]

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NCERT English (Core) - Hornbill
Chapter 2 We’re Not Afraid to Die... if We Can All Be Together
Talking about the text | Q 2 | Page 18

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Location South Indian Ocean, between southern most parts of Australia and South Africa
Latitude and longitude 37 92 S, 77 67 E
Sovereignty France
Political status notes Part of French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Population 35
Census notes Meteorological station staff
Land area in square kilometers 86

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