Endurance: Part 6, Chapters 1-3

Aron Ralston



These chapters from Alfred Lansing’s novel Endurance depict the harsh conditions and weather that the men aboard the James Caird were forced to conquer. The six crew members were completely soaked through, and the four hour shifts they took seriously threatened their lives. One of the jobs necessary to prevent the boat from sinking was chipping away at the ice that accumulated on the Caird. One could only last in this position for roughly five minutes before their hands would start to freeze, and then another crew member would take over. Also, any warmth or comfort that might have been found below the deck was out of the question. The ceiling was too low for a man to sit up straight, and the reindeer sleeping bags had begun to rot. The ability of these men to overcome their predicament and accomplishing whatever was necessary reminds me of Aron Ralston, a man who boasts another amazing survival story. Ralston, a mountain climber whose incident was recently made into the film 127 Hours, had been hiking in Utah when a boulder dislodged and fell on him, trapping his arm. Alert that no one was aware of his location, Ralston began to cut off his arm with a two inch knife in order to escape. He was successful in this endeavor and today he continues to climb mountains and gives speeches about his experience. Although Shackleton’s men were in a much different situation that Aron Ralston, both proved to have exceptional survival skills and the ability to do whatever it takes in order to survive.

One of the literary terms employed in this novel is concrete details. These details describe actual events, or aspects of these events.

“ ‘Monday, 24^th. April.

‘Wild Camp for Rating Chron. 192/262

‘Took departure in James Caird at 12-30 p.m. Steered N.N.E. 8 miles, then E. 1 mile to a break in the stream ice here running E and W

‘Wind: to 4 p.m. WNW 6 [approx. 30 MPH]…’

Worsley’s log,” (218).

            This quote is a real excerpt from the journal of Captain Frank Worsley of the Endurance. Worsley, a reliable source, explains through this passage the main event that took place on the day mentioned, allowing these observations to be considered concrete details.