47 pages • 1 hour read
Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance
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PrefaceChapter Summaries & Analyses
Preface Summary: “Just Imagine”
In Preface, Armstrong explains that Antarctica, which is located at the South Pole, is “the most hostile environment this side of the moon” (1). She contrasts the few feet of ice covering the Arctic, or North Pole, to the deep glaciers in the South Pole, which can be two miles thick and help form a floor of ice that covers nearly the whole continent. Antarctica creates the world’s most treacherous weather, especially in the winter, when sub-zero temperatures and strong winds of up to 200 miles per hour rapidly freeze the surrounding ocean water. This ocean of ice can cover a vast area of seven million square miles. In 1915, a British crew traveling to Antarctica becomes trapped there. They ultimately survive.
Preface Analysis
The short Preface sets the tone for the journey that follows. It asks the readers to imagine themselves in the cold, unforgiving environment of Antarctica. Armstrong emphasizes the extent to which it is the most dangerous climate in the world, even when compared to other inhospitable places. Her descriptions make clear that any expedition to the region would be difficult, regardless of the outcome.
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