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What is the difference between the climax and the crisis in "The Slave...

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coolgrl312 | Student, Grade 9 | eNotes Newbie

Posted September 4, 2008 at 1:38 AM via web

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What is the difference between the climax and the crisis in "The Slave Dancer."

When I looked up the definition for climax and crisis they seem like the anwser to both would be the ship starts to sink.

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ladyvols1 | High School Teacher | (Level 3) Senior Educator

Posted December 13, 2008 at 11:06 AM (Answer #1)

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In the novel "The Slave Dancer," there are several conflicts. The crisis is included in the rising action. Rising action are the events and complications that lead to an important and dramatic point in the plot. The climax is the point of greatest interest and emotional involvement in the plot. The Moonlight is anchored off the coast of Cuba to exchange the slaves. During a "celebration" designed by the captain, the ship sees an approaching ship and chaos breaks out at the same time a squall hits. Jessie and Ras are trapped for days in the slave hold of the ship which eventually crashes on the reefs off the coast of land. This is the crisis. The climax would be when the two boys must say goodbye after the months of struggle they faced together on the slave ship. This is a very emotional scene in the novel and builds to a tearful and heartfelt separation of the to boys.

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