Endurance Part VI: Ch. 1-3

     Part 6 is the account of the journey Shackleton and the five other men with him made as they sailed toward South Georgia. The ice proved to be a problem more than once and the there clothing was not intended for the wetness they encountered; it is hard to decide who had a worse time: the men on land or the men in the boat. For the first time in the entire novel, Shackleton begins to show some doubt in his decisions and his ability as leader of this expedition. He also shows nervousness during this voyage that has not been present before.

"As for the journey itself, he seemed strangely doubtful...The truth was that he felt rather out of his element...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."

     Concrete details have been apparent throughout the novel, but especially during this trip made to South Georgia. Each latitude and longitude, the miles they have travelled, and the temperature recorded are examples of concrete details that are definite proof of the journey. In six days, they had travelled almost one-third of the way, but they were already wishing it was over. They had to anchor when a strong gale threatened to blow them off course and the boat kept accumulating ice that had to be chipped off multiple times. The sleeping bags began to rot and the weather was so bad they could not get a view of where they were. Just when things seemed as bad as they could be, a huge swell picked up the boat and snapped the line to the anchor.