"It is a battle against a tireless enemy in which man never actually wins; the most taht he can hope for it not to be defeated. It gave Shackleton a feeling of uneasiness. He now faced an adversary so formidable that his own strength was nothing in comparison, and he did not enjoy being in a position where boldness and determination count for almost nothing, and in which victory is measured only in survival(Page 221)."
As the group on the island lived in a hell of their own, the ones on the boat headed to South Georgia Island were experiencing their own slice of Satan's paradise. Water constantly splashed into the boat and lack of free movement made discomfort constant. Rotten odors from the water logged, slime covered sleeping bags mad the trip all the more unpleasant. Shackleton felt a degree of responsibility and he was humbled, making him more oriented to keeping his crew alive and less concentrated on honor from achieving his goals. It seems that disaster brings out the best in many.
This reminds me of Finals week in my freshman year. I was overloaded with information and study materials. I was aware that my study habits were not the best and that if I wanted to do good on my tests, I would have to spend less time playing video games and wasting my time and study hard the tests that lay ahead of me. I immediately worked to improve the habits that I had been building for years. I changed for the better just as Shackleton had done on the voyage to Georgia Island.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part V, Chapters Four-Six
After the group left for South Georgia Island to find help, those how remained were in a degree of depression. The terrible conditions and threat of supply shortages might have drove them to insanity. But, the men prevailed by creating a ramshackle shelter out of one of the boats that had been left. Optimism was all that the men had to go on. Many of them reasoned that if they were going to die, they would die full of hope that help was on the way. It would help no one if everyone had an attitude of absolute hopelessness. Hope was the one thing that kept the morale of the crew afloat. Hope also kept the crew unified and cooperative. Nevertheless, if Shackleton did not return soon, the crew was sure to die a horrible death.
"'We were all ridiculously weak,' Orde-Lees wrote. 'Stones that we could easily have lifted at other times we found quite beyond our capacity, and it needed two or three of us to carry some that would otherwise have been one man's load. . . . Our weakness is best compared with that which one experiences on getting up from a long illness'(Page 196)."
The quote above represents just how bad the food shortages were. The weakness that the crew felt was one of starving and fatigue. Constantly changing weather also made for a miserable time on the island.
This section of the book reminds me of the novel Night by Elie Wiesel in the fact that in both situations hope was one of the things that kept spirits alive during a desperate situation. Hope for rescue and to see loved ones helps to keep the optimistic spirit with both Elie and the crew.
"'We were all ridiculously weak,' Orde-Lees wrote. 'Stones that we could easily have lifted at other times we found quite beyond our capacity, and it needed two or three of us to carry some that would otherwise have been one man's load. . . . Our weakness is best compared with that which one experiences on getting up from a long illness'(Page 196)."
The quote above represents just how bad the food shortages were. The weakness that the crew felt was one of starving and fatigue. Constantly changing weather also made for a miserable time on the island.
This section of the book reminds me of the novel Night by Elie Wiesel in the fact that in both situations hope was one of the things that kept spirits alive during a desperate situation. Hope for rescue and to see loved ones helps to keep the optimistic spirit with both Elie and the crew.
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| Elie Wiesel's Night |
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part V, Chapters One-Three
"All this had been discussed and discussed again. And though the Caird's chances of actually reaching South Georgia were remote, a great many men genuinely wanted to be taken along. The prospect of staying behind, of waiting and not knowing, of possibly wintering on this hateful island was far from attractive(Page 187)."
Although the crew of the Endurance has found land, it is no world of easy living. The crew knew that eventually their stores would run out and that there was virtually no chance of being spotted by any ship that passes by the island. There was no chance of survival on the island that they were on. They had to leave this island or face certain doom. Shackleton declares that he and a handful of other crew members would sail to Georgia Island nearly 1000 miles away from their current position. Nobody believed that the ones to go with Shackleton would survive.
Either way, they would all die, on the island or at sea, death was almost guaranteed. Now, they all realized the likelihood that they would ever be rescued was slim to none.
This section of the book reminds me of a time I had to make a choice between going somewhere with my parents or to stay home. Either way, I would be bored but one way I would be more bored than the other. This situation is much less severe than the decision that the crew of the Endurance have to make, but it is the same premise.
Although the crew of the Endurance has found land, it is no world of easy living. The crew knew that eventually their stores would run out and that there was virtually no chance of being spotted by any ship that passes by the island. There was no chance of survival on the island that they were on. They had to leave this island or face certain doom. Shackleton declares that he and a handful of other crew members would sail to Georgia Island nearly 1000 miles away from their current position. Nobody believed that the ones to go with Shackleton would survive.
Either way, they would all die, on the island or at sea, death was almost guaranteed. Now, they all realized the likelihood that they would ever be rescued was slim to none.
This section of the book reminds me of a time I had to make a choice between going somewhere with my parents or to stay home. Either way, I would be bored but one way I would be more bored than the other. This situation is much less severe than the decision that the crew of the Endurance have to make, but it is the same premise.
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part IV, Chapters Four-Five, Turning Point, Tone
As the arctic storms plague the terrified crew members on their journey to Elephant Island, a few crew members of the crew show extraordinary courage and leadership to help the crew survive the trials that the sea throws at them. Not only did the leadership of the crew members keep the crew alive, but also help increase the morale and the unity of the crew as a whole.
"It was the merest handhold, 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep. A meager grip on a savage coast, exposed to the full fury of the sub-arctic ocean. but no matter-- they were on land . For the first time in 497 days they were on land. Solid, unsinkable, immovable, blessed land(Page 175)."
The crew reaches Elephant Island, the first piece of land that they had seen in over a year. This seems to be a Turning Point- (A point in a work in which a very significant change occurs) in the story where the crew is out of the woods. This assumption is wrong though because the island is not frequently visited and the island is desolate.
The Tone- ( the attitude of a writer, usually prompted, toward the subject or audience) that the writer set is one of hope. Hope that the crew would resolve the issues and reach land and that rescue would be swift.
This scene reminds me of the scene of the film Black-hawk Down when the UN soldiers showed up to escort the Americans back to the safe-zone. The Americans were filled with hope when the UN carriers showed up to save the Americans, the same hope that the Crew of the Endurance felt when they set foot on solid land.
"It was the merest handhold, 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep. A meager grip on a savage coast, exposed to the full fury of the sub-arctic ocean. but no matter-- they were on land . For the first time in 497 days they were on land. Solid, unsinkable, immovable, blessed land(Page 175)."
The crew reaches Elephant Island, the first piece of land that they had seen in over a year. This seems to be a Turning Point- (A point in a work in which a very significant change occurs) in the story where the crew is out of the woods. This assumption is wrong though because the island is not frequently visited and the island is desolate.
The Tone- ( the attitude of a writer, usually prompted, toward the subject or audience) that the writer set is one of hope. Hope that the crew would resolve the issues and reach land and that rescue would be swift.
This scene reminds me of the scene of the film Black-hawk Down when the UN soldiers showed up to escort the Americans back to the safe-zone. The Americans were filled with hope when the UN carriers showed up to save the Americans, the same hope that the Crew of the Endurance felt when they set foot on solid land.
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| Scene from the film Blackhawk Down (2001) |
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part IV, Chapters One-Three, Irony
The crew of the Endurance sailed to find land from their camp on the ice floe, they realized that they had made a severe mistake. They also realized that they have passed the point of no return. Now, as the tortures of sailing on the arctic ocean constantly battered them, a degree of depression sunk in. They faced bitter cold, harsh winds, icy waters, and illness on a day-to-day basis.
As the crew sailed on the open waters, they realized that they had been drifting away from their intended destination. This cruel Irony- (use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or, congruence between what is expected and what actually occurs) is a striking blow to the morale of the crew. Depression sweeps across the entire crew as they drift hopelessly in the open, unforgiving water. There was a spot of defiance among some of the crew members as they refused to row the boats. This almost destroyed the synergy that had just been restored a little while earlier.
"They made a pitiable sight--three little boats, packed with the odd remnants of what had once been a proud expedition, bearing twenty-eight suffering men in one final, almost ludicrous bid for survival. But this time there was to be no turning back, and they all knew it. The men clung to the sides of the pitching boats as they drove forward(Page 160)."
This situation reminds me of the point of no return after the beginning of the school year. After the first two weeks, the classes that you have are the classes that you will have until the semester ends. Just as the crew made a decision that they could not return from, students cannot return from the decision to not change classes.
As the crew sailed on the open waters, they realized that they had been drifting away from their intended destination. This cruel Irony- (use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning; or, congruence between what is expected and what actually occurs) is a striking blow to the morale of the crew. Depression sweeps across the entire crew as they drift hopelessly in the open, unforgiving water. There was a spot of defiance among some of the crew members as they refused to row the boats. This almost destroyed the synergy that had just been restored a little while earlier.
"They made a pitiable sight--three little boats, packed with the odd remnants of what had once been a proud expedition, bearing twenty-eight suffering men in one final, almost ludicrous bid for survival. But this time there was to be no turning back, and they all knew it. The men clung to the sides of the pitching boats as they drove forward(Page 160)."
This situation reminds me of the point of no return after the beginning of the school year. After the first two weeks, the classes that you have are the classes that you will have until the semester ends. Just as the crew made a decision that they could not return from, students cannot return from the decision to not change classes.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part III, Chapters Four-Five, Adage
Food shortages and constant stress of the unpredictable ice rose tensions among the crew members. The bond of the crew members was strained in late March, the food situation had gotten so bad that they were cutting rations and digging into the waste meats to find anything that is edible. The desperate situation did not weaken bond that held the crew together. The bond was in fact strengthened. Crew mates gave their rations to those who were the weakest and the most ill. This kind of brotherhood can only be experienced by those united by disaster.
Although the crew was now in a state of synergy, the ice was a constant place of chaos. The ice was constantly under stress and new cracks formed nonstop. It was nearly impossible to launch the boats to go anywhere due to the fear that the ice floes would crush the ships. Soon, the ice floe that the camp was set up on cracked, making the conditions all the more perilous. Shackleton's plans for sailing to the island to the west go to the wayside due to the conditions of the ice.
"Though everyone was fully aware that their situation was becoming more critical by the hour, it was much easier to face danger on a full stomach(Page 133)."
This quote reminds me of the Adage- (a familiar proverb or wise saying) that "an army marches on its stomach". This part of the book shows the desperation of the food situation that the crew was facing, and now the ice is falling apart. They need a plan to move to a safer place. It is hard to think on an empty stomach and it is hard to do anything without focus that having a full stomach brings people. Just as an army cannot fight to win while starving, the crew of the Endurance cannot fight to survive while starving.
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part III, Chapters One-Three, Motivation, Pathos, Mood
"So now they sat in Mark Time Camp, disillusioned and humbly aware how truly pygmy they were to overcome the forces they faced, regardless of how much strength and determination they put forth. The realization was not so much humiliating as frightening(Page 100)."
The author uses this kind of language to set the Mood- ( The emotional atmosphere of the work) and to bring the reader to feel Pathos- (The quality in a work that prompts the reader to feel pity) for the tired, cold, and stranded crew. This writing style brings the reader into the story and makes the story come alive as it is read.
After five long days of travel, the crew of the now sunken Endurance were stagnant. There was nothing to do but think. After consistent failure to move off the ice floes, much of the crew lacked any kind of Motivation- (A character's incentive or reason for behaving in a certain manner; that which impels a character to act.) to go anywhere or make any other attempts of escape. They were broken, in mind, body, and spirit. This brokenness divided the group even more, they were constantly bitter and angry at each other. Some members of the crew refused to work and row the boats making the atmosphere of the group increasingly hostile. Now, outbreaks of violence were increasingly imminent.
This scene reminds me of a prison riot, or at least the beginnings of one. Cooperation is at a low and the mind numbing incarceration, the ice being like a prison for the crew of the Endurance, make hostility the status quo. Soon, something one person does could spark an all out brawl among the others. Of course, there is always someone to restore order, in the case of the Endurance it is sir Shackleton, so that synergy can come to the entire group.
The author uses this kind of language to set the Mood- ( The emotional atmosphere of the work) and to bring the reader to feel Pathos- (The quality in a work that prompts the reader to feel pity) for the tired, cold, and stranded crew. This writing style brings the reader into the story and makes the story come alive as it is read.
After five long days of travel, the crew of the now sunken Endurance were stagnant. There was nothing to do but think. After consistent failure to move off the ice floes, much of the crew lacked any kind of Motivation- (A character's incentive or reason for behaving in a certain manner; that which impels a character to act.) to go anywhere or make any other attempts of escape. They were broken, in mind, body, and spirit. This brokenness divided the group even more, they were constantly bitter and angry at each other. Some members of the crew refused to work and row the boats making the atmosphere of the group increasingly hostile. Now, outbreaks of violence were increasingly imminent.
This scene reminds me of a prison riot, or at least the beginnings of one. Cooperation is at a low and the mind numbing incarceration, the ice being like a prison for the crew of the Endurance, make hostility the status quo. Soon, something one person does could spark an all out brawl among the others. Of course, there is always someone to restore order, in the case of the Endurance it is sir Shackleton, so that synergy can come to the entire group.
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part II, Chapter Four-Six, Narrator, Metaphor
Camp life is a drab and rather unhappy existence because the day-to-day activities almost are unchanging. There is hunting and other tasks to occupy the mind and to prevent insanity from taking over the mind. Soon, the crew of the Endurance had become accustomed to the camp life that they were now living in as they wait for a plan to leave their Arctic prison. On November 21, from their camp, they watched as the Endurance finally sank into the icy waters.
"The final loss of the Endurance was a shock i that it severed what had seemed their last tie with civilization. It was a finality. The ship had been a symbol, a tangible, physical symbol that linked them to with the outside world (page 84)."
The Narrator- (the one who tells the story; may be first- or third-person, limited or omniscient) tells of how the ship was the piece of hope that kept the crew hopeful and optimistic. This Metaphor- (direct comparison of two different things) of the ship being a beacon of civilization, while it is in a desolate waste land, is used to help the reader understand the desperate nature of the situation more so than before.
On the 23 of December, Shackleton allows the crew to celebrate Christmas early by having a large feast before they leave the camp on the ice floe. The plan to move was generally disliked by the whole of the crew and there was fear of mutiny. The synergy of the crew was upset and now violent outbreaks were a serious threat to the crew. Many crew members refused to push the boats any further because, in their minds, they were no longer contractually obligated to do anything that involved working under the instruction of the captain because the Endurance sank. Shackleton convinced them that they were still under contract and that they had to do work. Nevertheless, if complete unity was not restored to the crew, survival was at stake. In the end, the crew ended up abandoning their plan to move and turned back because of unfavorable ice conditions.
This situation reminds me of the film Independence Day when the continued attempts of the Americans to defeat the aliens were all for not, just as the crew of the Endurance's continued efforts to move from their camp were thwarted by the bad ice and weather. Also, in the film there were disagreements among the cabinet members under the President on how to make the next move against the invaders just as there were quarrels among the crew members over what should be done and how to do it.
"The final loss of the Endurance was a shock i that it severed what had seemed their last tie with civilization. It was a finality. The ship had been a symbol, a tangible, physical symbol that linked them to with the outside world (page 84)."
The Narrator- (the one who tells the story; may be first- or third-person, limited or omniscient) tells of how the ship was the piece of hope that kept the crew hopeful and optimistic. This Metaphor- (direct comparison of two different things) of the ship being a beacon of civilization, while it is in a desolate waste land, is used to help the reader understand the desperate nature of the situation more so than before.
On the 23 of December, Shackleton allows the crew to celebrate Christmas early by having a large feast before they leave the camp on the ice floe. The plan to move was generally disliked by the whole of the crew and there was fear of mutiny. The synergy of the crew was upset and now violent outbreaks were a serious threat to the crew. Many crew members refused to push the boats any further because, in their minds, they were no longer contractually obligated to do anything that involved working under the instruction of the captain because the Endurance sank. Shackleton convinced them that they were still under contract and that they had to do work. Nevertheless, if complete unity was not restored to the crew, survival was at stake. In the end, the crew ended up abandoning their plan to move and turned back because of unfavorable ice conditions.
This situation reminds me of the film Independence Day when the continued attempts of the Americans to defeat the aliens were all for not, just as the crew of the Endurance's continued efforts to move from their camp were thwarted by the bad ice and weather. Also, in the film there were disagreements among the cabinet members under the President on how to make the next move against the invaders just as there were quarrels among the crew members over what should be done and how to do it.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Part II, Chapter One-Three, Dilemma
"The Plan, as they all knew, was to march toward Paulet Island, 346 miles to the northwest, where the stores left in 1902 should still be. The distance was farther than New York City to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and they would be dragging two of their three boats with them, since it was assumed that they would eventually run into open water(Page 63)."
The Dilemma (A situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or equally unattractive alternatives) is to stay near the doomed ship, to go to a far off outpost, or to go to an even farther off outpost where stores from a previous voyage should be. In the end, Shackleton ultimately decides to lead his crew to the supply stockpile nearly 350 miles away.
Each of the crew members knows what tasks must be done in order to survive in the frozen, Arctic ocean. Though the journey is perilous, there is a mild excitement among the crew as they set off across the ice. As the time passed, the crew dropped more and more non-essentials t lighter the load that they had to carry.
A week into the walk to the store island, hope and optimism are dwindling. Soon, the crew returned to the doomed ship and hunt for treasure in the parts of the ship that are still above the water. Blizzards halt recovery efforts. The crew created a semi permanent camp near the ship where they decided that food rations would last them until January at full rations. Soon Shackleton developed a plan for escape and rescue that would put them in a position that whalers frequently visit. It is the only plan that they have, despite the risks involved.
This section of the book reminds me of the film, Poseidon(remake) where the survivors are faced with a difficult choice that means life or death, but the risk of death on the way to freedom is great. Ultimately, the crew members and the survivors on the ship decide to risk life or limb for the chance of rescue and freedom.
The Dilemma (A situation that requires a person to decide between two equally attractive or equally unattractive alternatives) is to stay near the doomed ship, to go to a far off outpost, or to go to an even farther off outpost where stores from a previous voyage should be. In the end, Shackleton ultimately decides to lead his crew to the supply stockpile nearly 350 miles away.
Each of the crew members knows what tasks must be done in order to survive in the frozen, Arctic ocean. Though the journey is perilous, there is a mild excitement among the crew as they set off across the ice. As the time passed, the crew dropped more and more non-essentials t lighter the load that they had to carry.
A week into the walk to the store island, hope and optimism are dwindling. Soon, the crew returned to the doomed ship and hunt for treasure in the parts of the ship that are still above the water. Blizzards halt recovery efforts. The crew created a semi permanent camp near the ship where they decided that food rations would last them until January at full rations. Soon Shackleton developed a plan for escape and rescue that would put them in a position that whalers frequently visit. It is the only plan that they have, despite the risks involved.
This section of the book reminds me of the film, Poseidon(remake) where the survivors are faced with a difficult choice that means life or death, but the risk of death on the way to freedom is great. Ultimately, the crew members and the survivors on the ship decide to risk life or limb for the chance of rescue and freedom.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Chapter Five-Eight, Maxim
Chapter five begins with the crew of the Endurance hopelessly trapped in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea in the Antarctic. Now the arctic night, weeks of little to no sunlight, extreme cold, and few opportunities for hunting, has arrived. by now the Endurance had been trapped for several weeks, with no sign of ever coming loose. the author recalls an event when a similar ship on a similar voyage had become beset in the ice and the crew had come close to insanity after the prolonged entrapment. further into the chapter, the author gives the reader more information of the origin and personality of some of the crew members.
In chapter six and seven, Spring, or the Arctic version of Spring, is on approach and the crew experiences the first event of the ice putting pressure on the hull of the ship. By July, the Temperature went from cold to really, really, intensely freezing cold. Soon the ice floes were putting immense pressure on the hull of the ship. Now the danger of the ship being lost is all the greater and the crew is put on high alert.
In chapter eight, the ship has been brought to its knees by the relentless pressure of the ice. Men were assigned to manual bilge pumps to stave off the nearly constant flow of arctic water. Many were worked to exhaustion during their watch and went to their bunks nearly dead from the constant efforts to save the ship. Alas, the efforts to save the ship were in vein as the hull buckled under the overwhelming pressure. The ship was abandoned and the crew left in the inhospitable conditions.
"'She's going, boys.' he said. 'I think it's time to get off.'(Page 60)"
The quote above is a superb example of a Maxim (a concise statement, often offering advice; an adage). As the ship succumbs to the ice, Shackleton is going around and telling people to abandon the ship and to move to the ice. This short, precise statement is offering the idea that Shackleton is giving his advice to the crew that it is time to let the ice take the Endurance.
I can relate this section of the book to the film trilogy of The Matrix. At first, the problems that present themselves to the main characters are relatively nominal. Soon these problems consume the existence of life until both Neo and Shackleton give in to the all consuming trechery of the Ice, in Shackleton's case, and the computer virus, in the case of The Matrix.Although Neo comes out victorious in the end, we will have to see how the situation for the crew of the Endurance turns out.
In chapter six and seven, Spring, or the Arctic version of Spring, is on approach and the crew experiences the first event of the ice putting pressure on the hull of the ship. By July, the Temperature went from cold to really, really, intensely freezing cold. Soon the ice floes were putting immense pressure on the hull of the ship. Now the danger of the ship being lost is all the greater and the crew is put on high alert.
In chapter eight, the ship has been brought to its knees by the relentless pressure of the ice. Men were assigned to manual bilge pumps to stave off the nearly constant flow of arctic water. Many were worked to exhaustion during their watch and went to their bunks nearly dead from the constant efforts to save the ship. Alas, the efforts to save the ship were in vein as the hull buckled under the overwhelming pressure. The ship was abandoned and the crew left in the inhospitable conditions.
"'She's going, boys.' he said. 'I think it's time to get off.'(Page 60)"
The quote above is a superb example of a Maxim (a concise statement, often offering advice; an adage). As the ship succumbs to the ice, Shackleton is going around and telling people to abandon the ship and to move to the ice. This short, precise statement is offering the idea that Shackleton is giving his advice to the crew that it is time to let the ice take the Endurance.
I can relate this section of the book to the film trilogy of The Matrix. At first, the problems that present themselves to the main characters are relatively nominal. Soon these problems consume the existence of life until both Neo and Shackleton give in to the all consuming trechery of the Ice, in Shackleton's case, and the computer virus, in the case of The Matrix.Although Neo comes out victorious in the end, we will have to see how the situation for the crew of the Endurance turns out.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Chapter Three-Four, Forshadowing
Chapter three begins as an overview of the reasons behind the desire for going on an expedition. the freedoms and the simplicity of a sailor's life are all the reasons that Shackleton needs for going on such a dangerous journey. In Chapter three, it is discovered that there is a stowaway on the ship and he is reprimanded for his misdeeds. Blackboro, the stowaway, is disciplined for his actions by Shackleton and is sent to the galley to work. The voyage to the Antarctic coast began and months later the Endurance had become trapped by the ice only 60 miles from their intended stopping point.
Shackleton now set his mind on survival and efforts to move the ship out of the pack ice were halted. The crew hunted seal and other animals and used meat as food and the blubber as fuel. By the beginning of March, the Antarctic night had set in and the sun rarely peaked above the horizon. The dog teams were being trained but many were dying from worms. Hunting had become scarce and the ice pack was slowly rotating.
"The Weddell Sea was roughly circular in shape, hemmed in by three land masses: the Antarctic continent itself, the Palmer Peninsula, and the islands of the south sandwich group. Consequently much of the ice that formed in the Weddell Sea was held there, prevented by the encircling land from escaping into the open ocean where it might have melted (Page 25)".
This passage is a great example of Foreshadowing- (The presentation of material in such a way that the reader is prepared for what is to come later in the work). The report that masses of ice were forming and the description of the sea that was being sailed tells the reader that there is going to be trouble in the near future.
I am reminded of the film Cast Away in the fact that both the Endurance the main character from the film begin with a planned journey that takes a turn for the worst. While the Endurance is trapped in a frozen wasteland and Chuck Noland is trapped on a lifeless island in the tropics, the same feeling of hopelessly being trapped is apparent.
Shackleton now set his mind on survival and efforts to move the ship out of the pack ice were halted. The crew hunted seal and other animals and used meat as food and the blubber as fuel. By the beginning of March, the Antarctic night had set in and the sun rarely peaked above the horizon. The dog teams were being trained but many were dying from worms. Hunting had become scarce and the ice pack was slowly rotating.
"The Weddell Sea was roughly circular in shape, hemmed in by three land masses: the Antarctic continent itself, the Palmer Peninsula, and the islands of the south sandwich group. Consequently much of the ice that formed in the Weddell Sea was held there, prevented by the encircling land from escaping into the open ocean where it might have melted (Page 25)".
I am reminded of the film Cast Away in the fact that both the Endurance the main character from the film begin with a planned journey that takes a turn for the worst. While the Endurance is trapped in a frozen wasteland and Chuck Noland is trapped on a lifeless island in the tropics, the same feeling of hopelessly being trapped is apparent.
Summer Homework, Alfred Lansing, Endurance, Chapter One-Two, Personification
In the Antarctic, a expeditionary crews' ship has become trapped in the ice of the Weddell Sea saying, "She was being crushed. Not all at once, but slowly, a little at a time. the pressure of ten million tons of ice was driving against her sides. And dying as she was, she cried in agony (page 2)".
The order to abandon ship has been given and the crew works feverishly to move the stores and supplies that they need off the ship. As the ship dies and chaos sweeps the crew, there is an eerie calm that the crew has. The sense of urgency to abandon ship was only echoed by the calm disposition of the crew as they carried out their final tasks on the ship as it was being crushed. The crew sets up a camp on a floe of ice as a temporary base. Now they have a decision on where to go to survive and await rescue.
This first chapter is a great representation of Personification-(endowing non-human objects or creatures with human qualities or characteristics). Personification is showed when the author refers to the ship as if it were a person by calling it She and when they give the ship emotion when they say that she cries in agony as she dies. This device allows us to relate to the ship and its pain as it dies and gives us as readers the ability to feel compassion and sympathy for the ship as it is crushed beneath the force of the ice.
In chapter two, we learn of the failed expeditions to the Antarctic that had taken place in the past and we are given a background to Sir Ernest Shackleton. We learn of the near death experiences and heroism and admiration that the rest of the world viewed these explorers with. We also learn of the fame that the explorers are greeted with upon return from an expedition, if they returned. I see why people would voluntarily risk their life in an attempt to do what others had not yet done. These explorers lust for fame and fortune in these expeditions.
I can relate these chapters to the opening to Mr. Deeds where Preston Blake is climbing Mt. Everest and he is told to go back but refuses. In the end he dies but he died doing what he wanted, it is that kind of desire that I believe to be in the minds of the explorers in the Antarctic. While their determination may end up killing them, it might just be worth it if they died doing what they believe in.
The order to abandon ship has been given and the crew works feverishly to move the stores and supplies that they need off the ship. As the ship dies and chaos sweeps the crew, there is an eerie calm that the crew has. The sense of urgency to abandon ship was only echoed by the calm disposition of the crew as they carried out their final tasks on the ship as it was being crushed. The crew sets up a camp on a floe of ice as a temporary base. Now they have a decision on where to go to survive and await rescue.
This first chapter is a great representation of Personification-(endowing non-human objects or creatures with human qualities or characteristics). Personification is showed when the author refers to the ship as if it were a person by calling it She and when they give the ship emotion when they say that she cries in agony as she dies. This device allows us to relate to the ship and its pain as it dies and gives us as readers the ability to feel compassion and sympathy for the ship as it is crushed beneath the force of the ice.
In chapter two, we learn of the failed expeditions to the Antarctic that had taken place in the past and we are given a background to Sir Ernest Shackleton. We learn of the near death experiences and heroism and admiration that the rest of the world viewed these explorers with. We also learn of the fame that the explorers are greeted with upon return from an expedition, if they returned. I see why people would voluntarily risk their life in an attempt to do what others had not yet done. These explorers lust for fame and fortune in these expeditions.
I can relate these chapters to the opening to Mr. Deeds where Preston Blake is climbing Mt. Everest and he is told to go back but refuses. In the end he dies but he died doing what he wanted, it is that kind of desire that I believe to be in the minds of the explorers in the Antarctic. While their determination may end up killing them, it might just be worth it if they died doing what they believe in.
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