And compare these two men to Captain Lord, for whom the quality of self-deception, fed by an ironclad self-belief and self-confidence, seems to allow an untroubled conscience.Compare the guilt Stone feels for the Titanic's dead with that of Charlie Groves, the third officer, who blames himself for not noticing that the wireless detector had wound down (page 85).What do you think is the significance of Herbert Stone throwing his copy overboard (page 98)?

Discuss the role of Moby-Dick in the novel.Do you share these contradictory feelings? Consider Steadman's earlier comment (page 177) that the sea had somehow tricked Lord. As Steadman observes Lord giving evidence at the London inquiry, he finds himself vacillating between wanting the captain to tell the truth and feeling sorry for the man.' (page 124) Do you think there were brave men on the Californian? 'The story of the Californian is a story of heroism.This is a novel that plays poignantly with what-ifs.

'That was something beyond words.' (page 6) But when she reads 'Eight White Rockets' she thanks him: 'I see what you have done.' (page 252) Do you think that Steadman has, after all, been able to show the power of a mother's love?

Early in the novel, Olive says that Steadman will never, in his writing, be able to show how much she loved her son.

What role do these women have in The Midnight Watch?

Harriet tells Steadman on page 137, 'This is a new age, Papa, and girls don't always do what their fathers say.' In what ways does the novel challenge and unsettle conventional 1912 notions of manhood and womanhood?.

Should it still be women and children first in today's world, in your opinion?

Consider Olive's argument about the order of preference for those boarding the Titanic's lifeboats (page 136).Consider the ways in which The Midnight Watch reflects on technological change: the effect of new technologies on Steadman's job, on daily life, on the maritime industry, and anything else that strikes you.How might you describe the characterization of other cities in the novel (New York, Washington, London, Liverpool)? Discuss the way in which The Midnight Watch brings vividly to life the Boston of Steadman's time.The exact reason why the Californian did not respond to the Titanic's rockets can perhaps never be known, but how plausible do you find the answer offered by the novel?.The historical incident that underlies The Midnight Watch seems to have slipped from public memory, even while interest in the Titanic has grown stronger.

The midnight watch by david dyer