"Elephant Island had flattered only to deceive. She had revealed her true face to them, and the sight of it was ugly."
Shackleton and his men have finally made it to Elephant Island. Here, the men recover from the anguish endured on the freezing waters of the Antarctic Ocean. Green, the cook, prepares meal after meal for the crew to gorge on. Crew members recall the first day on land to be one continuous feast. However, while the men are indulging themselves in the euphoria of the land, Shackleton has other plans. Ernest Shackleton, although delighted to be on solid land, understands that his crew must move on. Elephant Island, it turns out, isn't as wonderful as "she" seems. Lansing uses personification when referring to the island, calling it "her" and "she". With its violent winds, towering cliffs, driving snow, and naked landscape, the island is described as inhospitable and deceiving. In the coming days, Shackleton decides to make a start for South Georgia in the hope of finding a rescue squad.
One can compare the situation of Shackleton and his crew to the story of the motor torpedo boat, PT-109. This was commanded by John F. Kennedy during World War II. The PT-109 was badly damaged and actually split in two. The men were stranded in water that was filled with sharks and crocodiles. Being on Harvard University's swim team, Kennedy managed to guide his men to an island. Not only were the men without food and water, they were trying to hide from the Japanese. John F. Kennedy led his team miles away to the Olasana islands in search of food, water, and of being rescued. Like John F. Kennedy, Shackleton led his crew through dangerous waters to a not so promising island. When on the land, both leaders decide it's best to head to another island in hope of finding a rescue team.
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