Literary Terms1
Figurative Language
Writing or speech not meant to be interpreted literally.
Oxymoron
Combination of words that contradict each other.
Syntax
The structure of sentences.
What is the purpose of the Voyage of the James Caird?
To get others who can rescue men stranded on Elephant Island.
How many miles did the 6 men have to sail to reach South Georgia Island?
800 miles.
Paradox
Statement that seems contradictory, but may actually be true.
Symbol
Anything that stands for or represents something else.
Soliloquy
Long speech in which character reveals their thoughts to the audience.
What was the name of the original ship that sunk leaving the crew stranded on Elephant Island?
What is the Endurance?
Where does the story take place primarily?
Antarctica/Antarctic Circle
Parallelism
Repetition of a grammatical structure in order to create rhythm.
Rhetoric
Refers to language devices, especially the art of speaking or writing effectively.
Free Verse
Poetry not written in a regular pattern of meter or rhyme.
How does the author know what happened on the voyage?
From journals the men kept.
Why does Shackleton serve the entire crew when he notices one man's health is at risk?
Memoir
Type of autobiographical writing that tells about a person's own life.
Deliberate use of exaggeration or overstatement, often for comedic relief.
Tone
Writer's attitude toward his or her audience and subject
What does this narrative suggest about the importance of physical and mental strength in overcoming challenges?
While both are important, mental strength maybe more important.
What hardships does the crew face in the course of the journey?
Varied answers
Satire
Writing that ridicules or holds up to contempt of people or groups.
Style
Refers to an author's unique way of writing.
Metaphor
Figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as though it were something else.
In what ways do Vincent, McCarthy, and Worsley represent different responses to physical hardship?
Vincent-Fails mentally and physically.
McCarthy-Remains Optimistic.
Worsley-Feels in his element.
In his journal, Worsley notes "Navigation is an art." Explain what he means by this?
Although Scientific, navigation must be performed with finesse, creativity, and perception of an artist.