Unsinkable

These chapters deepen the novel’s exploration of The Impact of Class on Experiences and foreshadow disaster, using character perception and shipboard events to interrogate privilege. The near miss with the smaller ship in Chapter 10 offers context about the size and mythic reputation of the Titanic. The ability of the Titanic to pull a ship clear of its moorings and drag it through the water foreshadows its power as a factor in its eventual demise, and the reaction of the characters in Chapter 10 foreshadows their later reactions to the sinking of the Titanic. As someone who grew up assessing danger and tuning into his surroundings, Paddy understands the implications of the Titanic’s power and views the near miss as a warning of possible disaster. By contrast, the first-class passengers view the incident as little more than spectacle because they have led such privileged lives that the thought of disaster befalling them feels foreign. For the first-class passengers, the societal systems in place have always worked to their benefit, so they rest assured in the knowledge that the ship’s crew will navigate any disaster. From the first-class passengers’ perspective, the Titanic is a force that acts upon the world rather than something that can be acted upon. Seeing the ship nearly destroy a smaller vessel only reinforces their belief that the Titanic—and, by extension, they themselves—is above danger, part of a natural order where the powerful dominate without consequence. This moment illustrates how class privilege creates a false sense of invincibility, a belief that will be shattered as the novel progresses.

Korman reinforces the impact of class on experiences by juxtaposing visible opulence with hidden labor and by showing how different characters respond to the ship’s internal structures and boundaries. As first-class passengers, Juliana and Sophie experience lavish dining in Chapter 11. When they later venture into the bowels of the ship with Alfie, they find a bare, modest area of the Titanic. In particular, Sophie’s reaction to such differences shows the power of experience as a learning tool to understand other perspectives. Alfie’s trip to the cargo hold also reveals the privilege of class through the sheer volume of luggage belonging to the first- and second-class passengers. The presence of the car is the ultimate symbol of the wealth aboard the Titanic, and since the car also provides Paddy with a place to sleep, the car shows how the privilege of one class is the bare minimum for another. The fact that Paddy must hide inside a luxury item simply to survive serves as a stark metaphor for economic inequality. 

The influx of new lower-class passengers in Chapter 14 bolsters Paddy’s conviction that he doesn’t belong aboard the Titanic while also definitively proving that he has a right to be there. The steerage passengers have purchased fares on the ship, even if their fares were lower than the upper classes. The very presence of the steerage passengers represents the right of people from different cultures and walks of life to occupy the same space. Despite this, however, the physical divisions between the different class areas of the ship symbolize the barriers between societal classes and send a message that while everyone is welcome, they are only welcome where the class structure says they belong. These social boundaries are not only physical but also psychological, reinforcing internalized hierarchies that even the most resourceful characters, like Paddy, must navigate.

Chapter 15 shifts focus to the authority figures aboard the Titanic, revealing how overconfidence in technological advancement can eclipse practical caution. As seen in Chapter 15, the captain is capable and confident, both of managing the ship and of dealing with unexpected situations that may arise. His dismissal of the gangsters and refusal to give in to their demands shows that the captain isn’t afraid to make difficult decisions and that he cares about the welfare of his ship. This captain is not the type of person to make careless decisions, suggesting that his mishandling of the icy water is born of overconfidence in power versus the practicalities of avoiding danger. From the beginning, Mr. Andrews and others key to Titanic’s construction and maintenance brag about how the Titanic is unsinkable because its hull is designed to prevent the ship from taking on enough water to sink. This false assurance leads to generally unsafe practices, such as a lack of lifeboats, because the desire to appear luxurious eclipses safety concerns. The visible presence of lifeboats would have served as a quiet reminder that all ships are sinkable, subtly undermining the grandiose claims of the Titanic’s invincibility. The captain’s rejection of binoculars for the lookouts also becomes a quiet but chilling signal of hubris—a belief that human vision and experience alone can conquer nature. The captain’s quiet dismissal of potential danger reflects The Inevitability of Progress, as he believes that technological advancement ensures safety. Korman critiques the narrow-sighted optimism of modernity, suggesting that faith in innovation without humility can lead to catastrophe.

In these chapters, interpersonal relationships deepen against a backdrop of suspense, reinforcing the value of empathy and trust across class and gender lines. Sophie and Juliana’s evolving bond—marked by misunderstanding, injury, and moments of grace—illustrates the slow dismantling of prejudice. Meanwhile, Alfie’s friendship with both girls and his growing alliance with Paddy show how crisis brings together unlikely allies. Korman contrasts their openness with the rigid systems of the adult world—systems that prize wealth, prestige, and progress over care and caution. Their shared secret about Paddy’s stowaway status, their collective curiosity about the mysterious book, and their willingness to break rules for each other signal the formation of a surrogate family. These emotional threads heighten the tension, setting the stage for the deeper moral tests to come.