Endurance, Part VII- Chapters 1-3, Literary Term- Epiphany

Part VII begins with the six man crew of the Caird making camp on a small beach in South Georgia. They regained their strength and a few days later they sailed to another part of South Georgia. Then Shackleton, Worsley, and Crean set out on foot to reach the whaling ports in Stromness Bay. After days of climbing glaciers and back tracking, the three man team makes it to Stromness Bay. Their expedition to get help has now been completed.

"Suddenly he jerked his head upright. All the years of Antarctic experience told him that this was the danger sign-- the fatal sleep that trails off into freezing death." This quote found on page 269 is important because it shows how Shackleton's quick thinking saves their lives. If Shackleton had not caught himself before he fell asleep then he, Worsley, and Crean may have frozen to death. This would have meant that the rest of the crew may not have been saved. This quote reminds me of a book I read in middle school called Wolf Brother. In this book a boy almost dies because he falls asleep in sub-zero weather.

On page 266 Shackleton has an epiphany, "After thirty minutes, the ice-hard surface of the snow grew softer, indicating that the grade was not quite so steep. Shackleton stopped short. He seemed to realize all at once the futility of what he was doing... If they stayed where they were, they would freeze... So he suggested they slide." This passage shows that Shackleton suddenly has an idea of how to get down the glacier. Without this revelation, the team of three may have never made it to civilization.

Endurance, Part VI- Chapters 4-6, Literary Term- Round Character

The last three chapters of Part VI begin with the crew of the Caird experiencing positive weather for two days and they have covered over half the distance to South Georgia. They experience even more high waves and strong winds. Their water supply begins to run dangerously low. Land is spotted and they spend a few days trying to reach land. After many struggles through storms, winds, and waves the Caird makes it to the beaches of South Georgia.

"Crean asked Shackleton what he should do, and Shackleton, rather snappishly, replied that there was obviously nothing they could do-- it was the only water they had, and they would have to use it." This quote found on page 240 shows that the tensions are high between the small crew of the Caird. The weather, lack of water, and anticipation for land has caused the crew to act nasty toward each other. I can relate to this because I can become very grouchy toward others when I become annoyed.

On page 240 Shackleton acts out in an odd manner, "The strain on Shackleton was so great that he lost his temper over a trivial incident... then he leaped to his feet, swearing and batting furiously at the bird with his arms." This passage shows that Shackleton is a round character because his attitude changed from calm and relaxed, to tense and frustrated.

Endurance, Part VI- Chapters 1-3, Literary Term- Antecedent

The first three chapters of Part VI begin with Shackleton and his five man crew making their way for South Georgia. Within the first two days they are making good mileage, but unfortunately they enter parts of the ocean that have 150 to 200 miles per hour wind. The wind turns against them and it begins to rain. The crew has to pump water out of their boat, they live in terrible eating and sleeping conditions, and they have to melt and break ice that forms over the Caird. This section ends with their anchor being torn from the boat.

"The damage to Worsley's navigational book by the constant soaking was an even more serious problem. The destruction of these books could mean losing the way across this forsaken waste of ocean." This quote found on page 228 is important because if the navigational books are destroyed then the Caird will never make it to South Georgia. This quote shows how significant Worsley's books are. This quote reminds me of the time my water heater broke a year or two ago. The water from the water heater leaked and soaked boxes that were stored in my basement. My parents spent a few days trying to dry out the important contents in the boxes.

On page 232 I found a passage that says, "Worsley was on watch and he immediately sent McCarthy to awaken Shackleton, who hurried aft." In this sentence, "Worsley" is the antecedent to the pronoun "he".

Endurance, Part V- Chapters 4-6, Literary Term- Dialogue

The last three chapters of Part V begin with the twenty-two crew members who were left behind building a hut to protect them from the constant blizzard, which was completed after days of trial and error. Blackboro's left foot is amputated McIlroy and Macklin. The crew waits until mid-August for signs of a rescue ship, but mid-August arrives and aid has still not been sighted.

"Hussey, of course, played the banjo, and Kerr, as he had a year before on the Endurance, sang Spagoni the Toredo." This quote found on page 208 is important because it gives insight on what the crew enjoys in their spare time. This particular passages shows that the crew enjoys music, much like the culture of today. Many people today listen to music in their spare time because it helps pass time.

On page 201 Wild and McIlroy have a dialogue:

"'Do you like doughnuts?' Wild asked.

'Rather,' McIlroy replied.

'Damned easily made, too,' Wild said. 'I like them cold with a little jam.'

'Not bad,' said McIlroy, 'but how about a huge omelette?'

'Bally fine.'"

Endurance, Part V- Chapters 1-3, Literary Term- Concrete Details

The first three chapters of Part V begin with the crew arriving on land; a crew of five men is instructed to find a location where they can set up a more secure campsite. The crew returns with news of a location so they crew sets out for this new campsite. The crew made ready the James Caird to sail to South Georgia with a crew of five men. After days of suffering from a blizzard the preparations were made and the Caird sailed on April 24, 1916.


"But it heralded a change in weather, for within a quarter hour the wind had moved from the south to the southwest and quickly risen in force from breeze, to gale, to storm, then hurricane." This quote I found on page 182 shows how unpredictable the weather can be in the ocean. This is important because if further shows how hard it is to survive in Antarctica where the crew has been stranded. This weather reminds me of the weather in Indiana because the weather here is always changing and never predictable.


When the crew arrives to the new campsite on page 181 the camp is described as, "a fairly sheltered spit of beach, about 150 yards long and 30 yards wide, some 7 miles along the coast to the west." This passage is one of the multiple examples of concrete details in this book. "150 yards long a 30 yards wide" are exact measurements which show that the events actually took place. Other ways the book uses concrete details to prove it is non fiction is dates, times, and distances (i.e. miles traveled in a day).

Endurance, Part IV- Chapters 1-5, Literary Term- Dilemma

Part IV begins with the three small boats embarking on their expedition to land. The boats go through many hardships, and the crew has to sleep on ice bergs and floes. The men face frost bite, thirst, and hunger; Blackboro even looses his feet from frost bite. After many days of terrible weather conditions, constant changing of destination, and separation of the boats, the crew reaches Elephant Island.


On page 162 I found a quote that says, "After a time, it took extreme concentration for them to keep wiggling their toes-- it would have been so terribly easy just to stop." This quote is important because it shows how determined the crew is to survive. When times get hard the crew does not give up, instead they endure the pain. Running in a cross country meet is very similar. In order to run well, sometimes even finish the race, I have to be able to push myself when I want to quit.


"This was precisely the situation Shackleton had feared since the first appearance of the swell at Patience Camp. The berg was crumbling beneath them, and might split or upend at any moment. And yet to launch the boats would be idiocy. They would have been splintered to bits in ninety seconds." This passage, found on page 150, shows that Shackleton is put into a severe dilemma. He must make a decision that could either save or kill the whole crew.

Endurance, Part III- Chapters 4-6, Literary Term- Imagery

The last three chapters of Part III begin with the crew having a critically low food situation. The food rations are reduced to almost nothing, and the last dog team is ordered to be killed.
Land is sighted, but the tension between the crew members is still high. Multiple sea leopards are hunted, raising the blubber and food supplies. The section ends with the floes breaking up enough for the crew to launch the boats, which began their dangerous voyage to land.

On page 120 Macklin writes in his diary, "'There is absolutely nothing to do but kill time as best one may. Even at home with theatres and all sorts of amusements, changes of scene and people, four months idleness would be tedious: One can then imagine how much worse it is for us.'" I think this quote is important because it lets the reader get a feeling for how truly boring it is to do nothing. In grade school, when I was grounded I would be grounded to my room for a week. I was not able to do anything except homework and read. In other words I was completely bored for a week. I understand what it feels like to be totally bored, but Macklin gives me a feeling for what four months feels like.

"Penguins are croaking...and occasionally a shoal of them swim through a pool with a peculiar leaping movement like great fleas hopping along the water surface, and looking fine in the brilliant sunlight." This passage is a perfect example of imagery. "Penguins are croaking" pertains to the sense of hearing. "Peculiar...  sunlight" pertains to the sense of sight.

Endurance, Part III- Chapters 1-3, Literary Term- Jargon

The first three chapters of Part III begin with Orde-Lees being attacked by a sea leopard. The temperature has risen above freezing level and the ice is melting rapidly. Two dog teams are ordered to be killed in order to cut down on food consumption. There are strong winds that push the floe even more north, but the floes still are not breaking into open sea. The section ends with the crew getting close enough to open sea that water was breaking off little chucks of the floe.

On page 107 Macklin says, "'My dogs will be shot tomorrow.'" I find this quote to be important because it shows how close the crew has become to the dogs. The crew has become emotionally attached to the dogs. The book explains how crushed the owners of the dog teams are when they are ordered to kill the dogs; even the crew members who are not dog owners are appalled. This quote reminds me of the time I read the book Old Yeller in middle school. The boy who owned the dog Old Yeller was extremely sad when he had to shoot his own dog.

On page 113 James* writes in his diary, "'We also suffer from "Amenomania"' [literally-- wind-madness].'" The word "Amenomania" is an example of jargon. This means that the word is a word that the crew made up (similar to "slang"). This particular word is a disease that they made up that means they are anxious about the direction of the wind. Someone with this disease is constantly talking about the wind, and is always listening for the wind.

*The book does not specify which "James" is making this diary entry.

Endurance, Part II- Chapters 4-6, Literary Term- Symbol

The last two chapters of Part II begins with listing the chores the crew accomplish everyday around camp. Most of the crew is preparing the three boats for when the chance of open water occurs. Then the floes begin to drift too far east so Shackleton decides to begin their journey west. After a few days of heading west the crew is halted due to the ice not being stable enough to cross. Many negative events occur in these three chapters including: the Endurance finally sinks, McNeish tries mutiny, and the crew is now trapped because of the disintegrated floes.


A quote I found on page 83 is by Shackleton, "'She's going, boys!'" These three small words meant a great deal to the crew. This meant that the last bit of civilization within miles of their location was gone. The morality of the crew would drop greatly knowing that they were now alone and abandoned in the middle of uncharged land (water). This small phrase had great meaning behind it such as phrases used in everyday life. Phrases such as "I like you" or "I hate you" or even "I love you" are used by my friends and family. Whether in times of distress or happiness, these small phrases have deep meaning behind them and can evoke strong feelings.


"The final loss of the Endurance was a shock in 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 with the outside world." This passage from page 84 clearly states that the Endurance was a symbol to the crew that use to inhabit her. The Endurance was not only a ship, but she was also a symbol assurance, morality, and stability.

Endurance, Part II- Chapters 1-3, Literary Term- Complex Sentence

The first three chapters of Part II begin with the crew attempting to make progress towards civilization, but after making little progress, Shackleton makes orders to remain where the crew is until January. The crew makes trips back to the Endurance to salvage any useful materials the can find. These chapters end with explanations of some of the crew members and their negative characteristics.


On page 69 Macklin makes a diary entry that states, "'It has been a lovely day, and it is hard to think that we are in a frightfully precarious situation.'" This quote is important because it shows how the crew is adapting to their situation and making the best of what they can. Instead of letting the fear of their situation get to them they learn to live with it and be happy they are still alive. I have a friend whose mother has terminal cancer. Instead of living in depression and fear, she lives everyday to the fullest. She, like the crew of the Endurance, is happy with her life even in her "precarious situation."


"Shackleton planned to have a small party of four men make the overland journey across the 5,000-foot glaciers of the Palmer Peninsula, while the rest of the party waited at Snow Hill for rescue." This complex sentence on page 78 informs the reader of Shackleton's plan of survival. Instead of having the whole crew attempt to haul the many tons of gear and food they have, Shackleton is trying to make the process of reaching civilization as fast and easy as possible. The independent clause is "Shackleton... Palmer Peninsula" and the dependent clause is "while...rescue."

Endurance, Part I- Chapters 5-8, Literary Term- Parable

The last four chapters of Part I begin by informing the reader how much the crew has come together and give more information on each crew member. The crew cannot make any progress because the sun does not come out for months, so the crew celebrates Christmas and play games to pass time. The Endurance then begins to experience pressure. There are multiple encounters with the pressure until finally the pressure begins to crush the ship. The crew spends days trying to save the Endurance until finally they have to begin evacuating the ship.


I found a quote on page 48 that says, "The whole party had been cheered by the sun's refracted image appearing over the horizon for one minute just after noon." This quote is important because that small appearance of the sun tells the crew that they might have a chance soon to escape the floes that are holding them captive. It is also important because it shows the reader how important things that we take for granted in our everyday life. I can relate to this event because my grandparents are always telling me about how they did not have cell phones, computers, and toilets in their house.


On page 50 Shackleton tells a small parable, "Shackleton said there once was a mouse who lived in a tavern. One night the mouse found a leaky barrel of beer, and he drank all he could hold. When the mouse had finished, he sat up, twirled his whiskers, and looked around arrogantly. 'Now then,' he said, 'where's that damned cat?'" This parable Shackleton tells means that the crew needs to stop becoming so confident that the Endurance can survive the pressure. He is telling the crew that being cocky is foolish and to realize the reality of the situation.

Endurance, Part I- Chapters 1-4, Literary Term- Simile

The first four chapters of Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing begin with the crew of the Endurance withdrawing from their ship due to the ship being slowly crushed by floes of ice. The chapters then move on to inform the reader of the years of preparation leading up to the expedition. The reader learns about the history and building of the Endurance, and the crew that will inhabit her. These chapters conclude with the Endurance becoming stuck in the floes of ice which begins the downfall of the expedition.

A quote I chose is on page 14 in regards to Shackleton states, "'For scientific leadership give me Scott; for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.'" This quote shows that Shackleton may not be the smartest or most nimble leader but when it comes down to it Shackleton knows how to survive in horrific situations. Shackleton reminds me of my dad because my dad is able to keep his composure when a problem occurs at work. This enables my dad to fix the problem before more dilemmas arise.

On page 30 the shopkeeper, Orde-Lees, says, "'frozen, like an almond in the middle of a chocolate bar.'" This passage is an example of a simile. This quote compares the Endurance being frozen in the floe like an almond is in a chocolate bar. This gives the reader an image of the ship being grounded in the middle of a huge floe, and explains why the Endurance is hindered from moving on with the expedition. This simile helped me fully understand how the ship was stuck and made me realize the helpless situation the crew had gotten into.