take two, redive

When you're talking about the design of the boat, you say "it".

When the boat is still being built, your say "it".

When the boat is nearing completion, you can say "it" or "she".

When the boat is floating in the water you probably say "she", unless there is still a lot of work to be done (e.g. no engine yet) then you say "it".

When the boat is officially launched and operating, you say "she". If you continue to say "it" at this point you are not incorrect but suspiciously untraditional. You are not playing the game.

If you are referring to a boat you don't really know anything about you may say "it" ("there's a big boat, it's coming this way"). But if you know its name, it's probably "she" ("there's the Waverley, she's on her way to Greenock").

If you are talking about boats in general, you say "it" ("when a boat is hit by a wave it heels over")

If you speak about a boat in complimentary terms, it's "she" ("she's a grand boat"). If you are being disparaging it may be it, but not necessarily ("it's as ugly as sin", "she's a grotty old tub").

If she has a boy's name, she's still she. "Boy James", "King Edward", "Sir David Attenborough"? The pronoun is she.

If it's a dumb barge (no engine), you say it. But if it's a rowing boat (no engine), you say she.

It’s interesting to see since in the flashbacks Grace is a mix of mellowed out but still has that lingering frustration. He raises his voice the moment he gets back into discussing the details of his paper, he starts throwing things in the lab and storms out when he’s proven wrong again, but he instantly shrinks back in on himself once it’s over.

There’s like this desperation for validation and respect with this frustration. And he’s much calmer and trying to humble himself but it seems almost like he’s gone too far in the other direction? He almost punishes himself, he talks down on himself so much for being a coward in the book. It reminds me of when people are so hurt they insist they didn’t care to begin with and it would’ve never worked, but they care so much. He barely even recognizes he’s the second in command at that point. He’s so used to ignoring his own worth he doesn’t understand when people actually properly respect him and his work.

I think just having a friend like Rocky helps so much for his growth. Someone who lets him work and prosper in what he’s good at while not putting him on a pedestal or with these grand expectations that would make him turn around and insist he’s not worth it. They just connect and their differences work together so well. Rocky will call him a mess and an idiot but take care of him and acknowledge when he’s doing great, when he IS brave.

adrian: it's the confidence. just act like you own the place, dear

[later]

grace: ... you're in a ball.

Because poor Dr. Grace was never meant to be up there with a dead crew and no memories :,)

cake my roommate made me