Ernest Shackleton: Looking South

In the age of heroic explorers and the twilight of the British Empire, Ernest Shackleton embodied the spirit of adventure and exploration that defined the era. Shackleton’s fierce determination coupled with an indomitable spirit and leadership qualities enabled him to explore uncharted regions of Antarctica, and to avert almost certain disaster when an expedition went horribly wrong. This episode of BIOGRAPHY looks at the life and adventures of this daring explorer. It would be useful for classes on World history, Geography, Science and Technology and Ecology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Objectives

Students will learn about Antarctic exploration in the early 20th century. They will come to understand the enormity of the task by learning about the life and adventures of Ernest Shackleton, especially his expedition on the Endurance.

• adversary
• anecdote
• chasm
• crevice
• daunting
• deference
• lumbago
• puny
• quest
• staid
• transpose
• voracious

1. Ernest Shackleton’s expedition on the Endurance resulted in one of the most dramatic adventures of the 20th century. What happened to the Endurance?

2. Why did the first expedition to the South Pole, led by Robert Scott, fail?

3. Men who wintered in Antarctica faced harrowing conditions. How did these conditions challenge their mental stability?

4. Shackleton fell in love with a woman who had some wealth and was a few years older than him. What role did romance play in his first expedition to Antarctica?

5. Shackleton’s taste for adventure showed itself at an early age. What was his first adventure?

6. Describe Shackleton’s childhood. How did his childhood help him develop the characteristics that made him a great leader?

7. Antarctic exploration was, and still is, expensive. How did Shackleton raise the funds necessary to finance his expeditions?

8. 8. One of Shackleton’s greatest strengths was his ability to lead his men and provide for their physical, mental and emotional health. How did Shackleton make sure that his men did not suffer emotional and mental duress when they wintered in such extreme conditions and tight living quarters?

9. The first expedition Shackleton led to the South Pole ended less than one hundred miles from its goal. Why did the expedition turn back so close to its destination?

10. Frank Hurley was a photographer who accompanied the expedition aboard the Endurance. How did his presence provide a historic record of the event?

11. How did Shackleton keep up the morale of the men during the Endurance expedition?

12. Describe the conditions the members of the expedition faced on Elephant Island.

13. Why was Shackleton’s arrival at South Georgia nothing less than a miracle?

14. How did Ernest Shackleton die?

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Air Dates

• October 05, 2004
• January 31, 2005