How did Augusta's decision to choose to save Thomas over Eliza affect Charles' story later in life? How did you feel when you read it? Did you wonder what you would have done?

One of the most heartbreaking scenes in the novel is when Augusta must choose between Thomas and Eliza. How did this affect Charles's story later in life? How did you feel when you read it? Did you wonder what you would have done?

I don't think she actually made a conscious decision to save one child over the other. She already had Thomas in her arms, and she tried to save Eliza. Thomas was much younger and therefore more vulnerable, so I can see why she instinctively saved him. In retrospect, though, the older child may have survived until rescue, unlike poor Thomas.

As far as Charles goes, I don't think this was the episode that put his life on such a terrible trajectory. I think it had more to do with his father's inability to deal with his grief over the loss of all his other children, putting a double burden on Charles (survivor's guilt combined with feeling like his father didn't value Charles).

I can't imagine being in a situation where I had to choose the life of one child over another. I would imagine that scene replayed in Augusta's head for the rest of her life and always wondered if Eliza would have survived. I think she loved all of the nieces and nephews but it appeared that she had a special bond with Thomas. As the other responder said, "she already had Thomas in her arms..." Charles did observe a choice being made, but I think that was only one factor in his story.

Augusta had to make a terrible decision. She did already have Thomas in her arms. And I think she loved him the most of all her nieces and nephews. But she was torn apart by the decision. Charles held it against her. He criticized her for not saving Eliza. I'm guessing he never forgot that. You make a choice and you save who you want and let go of the other. That turned into his mindset.

I agree with kimk about how the aftermath of surviving affected Charles. Augusta saved Thomas because she already had him in her arms and couldn't get to Eliza. I dont think it was truly a concious decision on her part. She did what she could, and wanted to save them both, although she did feel responsible for Eliza's death. I don't think Charles ever forgave Augusta for it.

Augusta saved Thomas because he was the one she loved most. Charles witnessed that. Charles felt that he survived because of his own actions. One has to wonder if this is because he didn't think she loved him enough and that if the choice had been between Thomas and him, she would have let him die.