"For some strange meteorological reason, savage, tornadolike downdrafts periodically swooped down from the heights above and fairly exploded when they struck the water, whipping the seas close inshore into a frenzy of spindrift and froth."
Alfred Lansing tells of how Shackleton and the five other men are holding up as they make the harrowing journey to South Georgia. Like in the quote, Lansing uses concrete details to help the reader imagine just how brutal the travel for help was. With uncontrollable waves, overwhelming wind, and random bits of ice, the men find themselves to be physically and mentally weakening. In addition to all the pains of the deadly ocean, Shackleton and the men wear soaked clothing, have to eat bent over, and uncomfortably sleep on the rocks that keep the boat from becoming too light. However, within just a few days, the crew calculate that they have made it almost one-third of the way to South Georgia. Weeks pass and the party of men have been experience all sorts of trouble with the James Caird. Then, on May 10, 1916, men finally make it to South Georgia.
For me, it is easy to compare this long, chaotic journey to South Georgia with some of the road trips I have made with my family. For example, this year my family and I drove to North Carolina. I ended up riding with my aunt, my uncle, my grandma, and my five cousins. We drove in this huge, blue van. With all the road trip snacks, portable DVD players, unread books, and crossword puzzles, this journey had the potential to be a very fun and easy ride. However, my cousins are all under the age of eight, and became cranky soon after we left home. With a screaming baby and two fighting twins, everyone in the car was annoyed and a bit angry. On top of the crying children, frequent bathroom stops were made, which greatly irritated my aunt and uncle. A fourteen hour car ride turned into an eighteen hour miserable experience. Although I was traveling to vacation and Shackleton was traveling in hope of finding a rescue team, we both made a long and dreadful journey.
I can totally relate to long car trips. My sister used to scream from the minute she got into the car to the second she got out until she was like ten. It's obviously not the same thing but definitely not a fun experience.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good connection. My family and I go on like 4 road trips a year and I can completely relate to this! Great job Lexi!
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