47 pages • 1 hour read
Jennifer ArmstrongShipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance
Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1998A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
What are the conditions like in Antarctica? Why were explorers interested in going there in the early 1900s?
Describe some of Ernest Henry Shackleton’s qualities. Do you think he is a strong leader? Why or why not?
What is life like on the Endurance once it becomes stuck in the ice? What do the men do to entertain themselves? How do they pass the time?
How does life change for the men after the Endurance sinks? What are some of the sacrifices the men must make? What are some of the things they are forced to leave behind?
What is life like on the ice before the men get to Elephant Island? What are some of the biggest hardships they face?
Discuss some of the ways the men help one another after the Endurance sinks. How do they depend on one another for survival on the ice? Do they encounter any situations where someone is unwilling to cooperate?
Aside from Shackleton, who do you perceive to be the most important members of the crew? Explain your answer using examples.
What is the situation like on the rescue boat, the James Caird? What are some of the biggest challenges the rescue crew faces?
How do the men left behind on Elephant Island occupy themselves?
What do you consider to be the most important factors in keeping all the men alive throughout their entire ordeal?
