Shipwreck at the Bottom of the WorldThe Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the

Endurance

By Jennifer Armstrong

Essential Questions

What does it mean to be a leader?What does it mean to be a member of a team or community?Is failure always a bad thing?How can leaders of yesterday help us be leaders today for a better tomorrow?

Student Name _______________________________

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion Questions

Chapter 1 - Just Imagine -The Imperial Transatlantic Expedition pp. 1-9

1. Describe Shackleton. Use text evidence to describe the kind of man Ernest Shackleton was.

2. What is Shackleton’s goal? Find evidence in the passage that supports your point.?

3. On page 2, it says, “In a mere 20 million years the continent was covered with ice, and the environment had become too hostile for most living things.” What does this quote mean?

4. On page 7 we read Shackleton’s motto, “By endurance we conquer”. Explain this motto in your own words.

Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Look up each word in the dictionary. Draw line from the word on the left to its definition on the right.

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 2 - The Growlers pp. 10-16

1. Why were Shackleton and his crew reluctant to leave for Antarctica?

2. What does Shackleton’s confrontation with the stowaway show us about his

character?

3. Shackleton never let the men “forget that their strength lay in unity.” Discuss the meaning of this phrase. Do you agree or disagree with it?

1. improvisation

2. latitude

3. longitude

4. scurvy

5. sledging

6. spawning

Distance on Earth measured east/west of the prime meridian

Using a sled pulled by animals to move across snow or ice

Producing something

Making or performing something without prior preparation

Distance on Earth measured north/south of the Equator

A disease by lack of vitamin C

Figurative Language

“Shackleton and the rest of the men on board Endurance were tortured by indecision: they were all patriotic subjects of a country heading into war, and yet they all now burned to voyage south.”

Identify what type of figurative language is used and tell what each sentence means or what is being compared.

4. What type of figurative language is used here? Explain the quote.

Chapter 2. Vocabulary:

1. “The whaling station was a rough spot, with the carcasses of blue and humpback whales putrefying in the midnight sun.” p.13. Use a dictionary and on your lined paper, create the following chart for the following words:

putrefying.

Definition: ____________________________________________________________________________

Synonym: ____________________________________________________________________________

Antonym: _____________________________________________________________________________

Write a sentence using the word:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Additional vocabulary words: Give a definition, synonym and antonym for each.

2. dismayed p. 12 _____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

3. quarreled p. 12 _____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

4. billowing p. 13 _____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 3 – The Fist of the Antarctic pp. 17-23

1. Describe Shackleton by giving him 2 contrasting character traits. Includespecific details from the chapter to support these traits.

Describe the traits and then give supporting details from the text.

2. Do you think the crew respects Captain Shackleton? Why or why not? What do you think makes a good leader?

3. Why did the mirages make traveling dangerous?

4. At the end of this chapter, the author states: “the weather was not improving, and the ice showed no signs of opening.” Why do you think Shackleton did not turn the Endurance back? Think about: Why did Shackleton and the crew continue going into the ice pack and ignoring the facts that things weren’t improving? What would you have wanted to do if

you were in their place?

Writing Activity

Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the crewmen on the Endurance, at this point in the story. Tell how you are feeling about the situation you are in right now. Use details from the story.

Your diary entry should be at least a page in length.

Chapter 3 Vocabulary

Directions: Use a dictionary and context clues to write the meaning of the words below.

1. floe (pg. 21)

2. impenetrable (pg. 23)

3. lead (pg. 18)

4. obstinate (pg. 19)

5. stoked (pg.20)

6. “When fog and ice made progress impossible, Shackleton ordered the ship moored to a large iceberg or floe.” Based on context clues, the word “moored” most likely means:

A. rammedB. steered C. fastened D. detached

7. What would we probably call the “motor sledge”?

A. tobogganB. snowmobileC. sleighD. dogsled

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 4 – Winter on the Pack pp. 24-38

1. Why did Shackleton order the fires to be burned down? Do you think this was a wise decision?

2. What were the effects of cabin fever and how did the men try to avoid it?

Figurative Language

ForeshadowingWriters use foreshadowing as a way of hinting at what will happen late. Foreshadowing can be subtle, like storm clouds on the horizon suggesting that danger is coming. Or it can be more direct, such as in Charlotte’s Web when Charlotte the spider tells Wilbur the pig that all living things must die. Foreshadowing adds dramatic tension to a story. Authors use foreshadowing to:

Simile – comparison between two things using “like” or “as”

Metaphor – compares two things without using “like” or “as”

Onomatopoeia – a word that imitates a sound

Personification – describes an animal object, or idea s if it were a person

Idiom – an idiom is usually a well-known phrase that means something different than the individual words seem to mean

3. “Outside in the darkness, the endless mass of pack ice was grinding against itself like a restless, giant breaking mountains in its sleep.”

Identify the uses of personification, simile, and foreshadowing in this sentence.

Chapter 4 Vocabulary Loo

Look up each word and give a definition and use it in a sentence.

1. succulent p. 28

2. aurora australis p. 31

3. vestige p. 31

4. brandishes p. 33

5. quaint p.33

ForeshadowingWriters use foreshadowing as a way of hinting at what will happen late. Foreshadowing can be subtle, like storm clouds on the horizon suggesting that danger is coming. Or it can be more direct, such as in Charlotte’s Web when Charlotte the spider tells Wilbur the pig that all living things must die. Foreshadowing adds dramatic tension to a story. Authors use foreshadowing to:

6. perpetuate

7. gramophone

8. raucous p. 37

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 5 Pressure pp. 39-47

1. What was the biggest problem that came with the now “broken and fractured plain”? p. 39

2. Describe Endurance’s entrapment in the ice from the ship’s point of view. Use precise words and phrases, descriptive details, and sensory language to

describe the action and events.

3. Why do you think that Shackleton felt the banjo was an important item?

4. Describe the type of mood this chapter evokes in you. Support this mood with two specific details from the text.

Chapter 5 Vocabulary

1. yardarms p. 39

2. hillock p. 39

3. coincided p. 42

4. bulwark p. 44

5. gaping p. 46

6. evacuation p. 46

Writing Activity

The author describes the crushing ice and the Endurance in a very vivid and detailed manner, almost making them like characters in the story. You are going to take this a step further by rewriting the scene of the Endurance’s destruction from the point of view of either the ship or the crushing ice. Become the ship or the ice and describe what is happening to you using your thoughts and feelings. This process of making an object human-like is called personification.

Use lined paper to write your piece or you may type it and send it to me or

print it and bring it in to class. Your entry should be a minimum of one page.

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 6 – The Face of the Deep is Frozen pp. 48-54

1. The Endurance crew made many sacrifices in order to survive. Describe them. What sort of sacrifice would you be willing to make or not make?

2. On p. 51 is says, “What they would do once they reached their destination

was not specified: It was enough to have a goal.” Explain why it was enough.

3. How do icebergs enrich the Southern Ocean?

4. Read the following quote from Shackleton, which he wrote soon after the crushing ice forced the crew to abandon ship: “Though we have been compelled to abandon the ship, which is crushed beyond all hope of ever being righted, we are alive and well, and we have stores and equipment for the task that lies before us. The task is to reach land with all of the members of the expedition” (pg.50-51).

What does this quote tell us about Shackleton’s character? What words would you use to describe him based on this quote and other parts of the story? Explain your thoughts!

Chapter 6 Vocabulary

1. consolidated p.48

2. erodes p.48

3. dire p. 51

4. improviser p. 52

5. talismans p. 52

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 7 Ocean Camp pp. 55-61

1. Why did Shackleton and Hurley smash most of the photographic plates? What can you infer about his reasons for keeping some?

2. Why was it important to have Hurley, a metalworker and a carpenter on board?

3. Why do you think losing the Endurance was such an unforgettable event? How did the crew feel when it sank? Explain why they feel this way.

4. Shackleton recorded in his diary the sinking of Endurance but said “I cannot write about it.” Explain how Shackleton must have been feeling as he watched the ship disappear.

Writing Activity

In your opinion, what do you think is the most important thing for these men to survive? Some possible choices might be food, shelter, cooperation, or optimism. Write a paragraph explaining why you choose the answer you did. State your claim and provide reasons that connect to details from the story.

Chapter 7 Vocabulary

1. odyssey p. 55

2. ingenious p. 57

3. optimism p. 57

4. shenanigans p. 59

5. consumed p. 61

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 8 – Mutiny pp. 62-65

1. On page 62 it says, “Now that the Endurance was gone, some of the fo’c’sle hands were grumbling that they were working without pay and were no longer bound to follow Shackleton’s orders.” Do you agree with their opinions of not having to follow Shackleton? Why or why not?

2. McNeish decides that he wasn’t going to follow orders from Worsley or

Shackleton or anyone else any longer. Was this a good way to think? Explain

two advantages of this way of thinking and two disadvantages.

3. Do you think Shackleton was right in forcing McNeish to continue? What was Shackleton’s responsibility to the other men?

4. Describe the new camp, ‘Patience Camp’. How did their new camp symbolize their emotions at the time?

VocabularyChapter 8

1. nonessential p. 62

2. laboriously p. 62

3. resentment p. 62

4. obligation p. 63

5. demoralized p. 63

6. interchangeable p. 64

7. deliverance p. 65

8. marooned p. 66

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 9 – Patience, Patience, Patience pp. 66-71

1. Describe the conditions the men had to endure.

2. Read the following sentence:“The Boss knew how dire their plight was.

Almost every night, he shouted himself awake from nightmares, in which he pictured one disaster or emergency after another” (pg. 69) Based on the context clues, the word dire most nearly means: What context clues helped you?

a. exciting b. dreadful c. mild d. sincere

3. How did Shackleton use his nightmares to his advantage?

4. Read the following sentence. “Although tortured by worry, he remained outwardly unperturbed.” What would be a good synonym for the word unperturbed based on the way it is used in this sentence?What does this say about Shackleton as a leader?

a. unconcerned b. anxious c. nervous d. excited

5. Why do you think that routines were so important to the men? How do you think life in the camp would be different without routines?

VocabularyChapter 9

1. agape p. 662. provisions p. 663. forlorn p. 674. morbidly p. 695. monotony p. 69

6. plight p. 697. incapacitated p. 698. pretense p. 709. nostalgia p. 7010. disintegrated p.71

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 10 – Into the Boats pp. 72-77

1. Why do you think timekeepers are so important to navigators?

2. On p. 73 it says, “Nobody liked to think what might happen if Worlsey lost any of his instruments or tables.” In this desolate environment what do you think would happen to the men if he did lose his instruments?

3. Read the following sentenceHe knew how many miles of forbidding ocean still lay between the crew and their home. Based on the context clues, the word forbidding most nearly means:

a. unwelcoming b. smooth c. friendly d. salty

4. Hurley wrote: “Hunger brings us all to the level of other species.” What did he mean by that? Do you agree or disagree that man can sink to the level of beasts when faced with extreme hardship?

5. “The men were hungry, cold, and frightened. Fights broke out for the flimsiest reasons.” What did Shackleton do during this time that again showed his leadership? If you were their leader, what would you say or do to keep up morale and encourage your crew?

Chapter 10 Vocabulary

1. featureless p. 72

2. indispensable p. 73

3. rogue p. 74

4. wretched p. 75

5. flimsiest p. 75

6. exquisitely p. 76

7. compelled p. 76

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 11 – Escape from the Ice pp. 78-81

1. How would you describe the men’s voyage in the three boats? Support this description with two specific details from the text.

2. Why did they have to escape the open ocean? What do you think this means

for hopes of survival?

3. According to Worsley, after nearly losing Holness and Shackleton, why were

the men happier than on previous days?

VocabularyChapter 11

1. gingerly p. 78

2. engulf p. 79

3. deluge p. 79

4. intangible p. 79

5. fostered p. 81

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 12 – Passage to Elephant Island pp. 82-89

1. In this chapter, the author has made use of several kinds of figurative language. Do some close reading and find several examples of figurative

language in this passage. Discuss each of them and identify which kind of figurative language is used. What effect do they have on readers?

2. Explain what makes Drake’s passage so treacherous.

3. Why do you think Shackleton didn’t tell the men how bad it was? Do you agree with his decision to not tell? Why or why not.

4. Read the following sentence:“Somehow, Shackleton had always seemed invincible, but even the Boss had been beaten hard by the terrible night”. (pg.87)Based on the context clues the word invincible most nearly means

a. weak b. strong c. helpful d. satisfied

Writing Activity

What can you infer about Shackleton’s leadership when he chose Blackborrow to be the first man on Elephant Island? Why did Shackleton tell

Blackborrow in advance that he would be the first?

Chapter 12 Vocabulary

1. momentum p. 82

2. remnant p. 83

3. knoll p. 83

4. astern p. 83

5. aligned p. 84

6. crestfallen p. 84

7. blighters p. 89

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 13 - Dry Land pp. 90-93

1. An idiom is a phrase or saying that has taken on special meanings over time

- meanings that are often very different from the individual words that they contain. On page 90 it says, “By navigating there through fog, snow and winter seas, Worsley had found the needle in the haystack.” What does this idiom mean?

2. How do you think the men who are going to be left behind are feeling about Shackleton and his crew’s departure?

3. Boss chose his crew for a variety of reasons. Why did he choose Worsley, Crean, McNeish, McCarthy, and Vincent to crew the James Caird?

4. If you were in a similar situation, who would you choose to be on your team? Explain what qualities you would look for when choosing five people to accompany you on a difficult journey.

Writing Activity

Why did Shackleton have such a hard time leaving his men to go for help? Why did he choose Worsley, Crean, McNeish, McCarthy, and Vincent to crew the James Caird?

Chapter 13 Vocabulary

1. stupefied p. 90

2. understatement p. 90

3. formidable p. 93

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 14 – The Open Boat Journey: The First Ten Days pp. 94-101

1. Describe the voyage in one word. Support that word with two details from the passage.

2. Read the sentence below,“A gale blew up with snow squalls and heavy seas, and waves broke incessantly over the boat”. (pg. 98) What would be a good antonym for the word incessantly?

a. consistently b. occasionally c. never d. nonstop

3. Describe 3 challenges the men on the Caird faced as they traveled from Elephant Island to South Georgia Island.

4. The albatross appears in a poem called “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by

Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The following is a line from the poem.

“But ancient superstition forbade them from killing the albatross.”

If you were in the James Caird and were hungry, would you kill an albatross knowing this superstition? FYI: an albatross can weigh up to 22 pounds. A 22 pound turkey provides about 22 servings of meat, so we could infer the same about an albatross.

5. On page 100, there is another passage that illustrates Shackleton’s character and leadership. Find that passage and discuss it.

Chapter 14 Vocabulary

1. laden p. 94

2. ballast p. 95

3. thwarts p. 95

4. gunwales p.95

5. tiller p. 98

6. crudest (crude) p. 98

7. plummeted p. 99

8. putrid p. 100

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 15 – The End of the Open Boat Journey pp. 102-105

1. What were two symbols of hope that encouraged the men?

2. Why do you think Shackleton and his five men survived the hurricane in the open boat, while the steamer from Argentina sank?

3. When the men landed on South Georgia Island, they “lapped up the sweet water like dogs.” (pg.105) What kind of figurative language is this? Explain what it means.

4. Several dangers are called “the worst”. Which do you think was the worst danger the crew faced? Why?

Chapter 15 Vocabulary

1. floundered p. 104

2. fjord p. 104

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 16 – The Cave pp. 106-108

1. Summarize the two ways Shackleton could have traveled to the whaling station. What were the advantages and disadvantages of both ways?

2. Describe the crew by giving them two character traits. Support each trait with a detail from this section.

3. Read the sentence below: “The men on Elephant Island were still counting on them. If they took to the sea again, they faced another perilous journey 130 miles around the tip of the South Georgia to the whaling stations.” (pg. 107)What would be a good synonym for the word perilous?

a. safe b. dangerous c. horrible d. exciting

Chapter 16 Vocabulary

1. sodden p. 106

2. invalids p. 106

3. countenance p. 107

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 17 – The Alps of the Southern Ocean pp. 109-117

1. Explain the phrase “their hearts sank with disappointment.” (pg.109) What type of figurative language is it?

2. The three men’s route was extremely treacherous. Support this statement with two specific quotes from the passage.

3. Shackleton lies to Worsley and Crean about the time they slept on the mountain. Why did he lie? Why do the men believe they had slept half an hour?

Chapter 17 Vocabulary

1. buffeted p. 109

2. Providence p. 110

3. crevasse p. 111

4. ominous p. 115

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 18 – Camp Wild pp. 118-124

1. Who took charge on Elephant Island when Shackleton left? What did he order the men to do? Why?

2. Compare and contrast how winter on Elephant Island was similar to winter on the ship? How was it different?

3. Compare Wild’s leadership with Shackleton’s leadership.

4. On page 123, one of the crewmembers says to Shackleton, “We knew you’d come back”. Shackleton reveals that “was the highest compliment he had ever been paid”. Why do you think Shackleton felt that way?

Chapter 18 Vocabulary

1. illusions p. 118

2. reservoir p. 119

3. gangrene p. 120

4. reminiscing p. 121

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World Literature Discussion QuestionsChapter 19 – Epilogue pp. 125

1. How did the crew’s experience in Antarctica prepare them for World War I?

2. Why did Shackleton choose Worsley, Hussey, and Macklin to accompany him to Russia?

3. What was the goal of Shackleton’s final journey to Antarctica?

4. What do you think was Shackleton’s greatest success? Do you think he was a great leader? If so, why? If not, why not?

Writing Activity

What were some themes (recurring qualities or ideas) in this story? How did the author develop the theme(s)?

Writing Activity

Shackleton was the protagonist, or hero, of this story. Who or what was the antagonist – the source of conflict with the hero - in the story?

Epilogue Vocabulary

1. circumnavigate p. 125

2. obstinate p. 125