The novel The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi has several symbols; the following are just a few: The hurricane that is brewing during the voyage to America is symbolic of what is happening on the ship between Captain Jaggery and his mutinous crew. The appearance of the round-robin is an item or symbol that the crew is planning a mutiny. The pants and top that Charlotte wears instead of her dress when she tries to help the crew is the beginning of her transformation and of her new found freedom from being a proper lady. The clothes are symbolic of the beginning of her change.