Thursday, October 4, 2012

This section of Endurance was not only a lot easier to follow in my opinion, but also more interesting. When I finished reading tonight, I was almost tempted to read the next few chapters to see what happens to the crew (almost being the key term in that sentence). I find it amazing that through everything this crew has already been through they still manage to keep such high spirits, although it is obvious in the last section that it if finally beginning to wear on the crew, especially McNeish. You can tell how devastating this will be to the crew if this feeling of anxiety spreads throughout the men, because it said on page 78 that despite all the problems that they have/will see on this voyage, Shacketlton fears none more than demoralization of his men. This book is truly a tale of will, and the more I read this the more I am convinced that these are not average men. Despite what they are doing, being forced to stay in the tent, working all day, eating whale blubber, traveling all day only to be pushed back by night wings, whatever it may be they never complain and their high spirits just seem to be mind blowing. Although it is obvious that something bad is on the verge, and these men will definitely be tested (as if they haven't already) I for one am very curious to see how they respond to this adversary.

1 comment:

  1. I like that you pointed out Shackleton's greatest fear. I also found this to be very interesting and actually, I can completely understand why he fears it. When I try to imagine myself in this situation, the only thing that would keep me going is hope. Once hope is gone, I think I would lose my mind. Not only would I be incapable of accomplishing anything productive, I would lose the will to with the assumption that it would be fruitless. I believe that hope is these men's most valuable resource at this point in their journey.

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