A Negro Explorer at the North Pole · Chapter
The Pole! explained
The final march to the North Pole.
What happens
The final march to the North Pole. With Captain Bartlett sent back, Peary, Henson, and four Eskimos—Ootah, Egingwah, Seegloo, and Ooqueah—push northward. After grueling marches and near-disasters, Peary takes a solar observation on April 7, 1909, confirming they have reached the Pole. The American flag is planted, and Henson reflects on the historic role of a Black man at this achievement.
Themes in this chapter
Perseverance and Endurance
The team marches to exhaustion, with Peary pushing them relentlessly despite fatigue and danger.
Loyalty and Companionship
The Eskimos' unwavering fidelity and the mutual life-saving bond between Henson and Ootah.
Race and Identity
Henson's pride in being a Black man at the Pole, noting the historic companionship of Negro and Caucasian in great endeavors.
Exploration and Discovery
The successful attainment of the North Pole after years of effort and multiple previous attempts.
Characters to notice
- Matthew Henson
Narrator and key navigator; gauges distances and endures the final march alongside Peary.
- Commander Robert E. Peary
Relentless leader who takes the final observations and plants the flag at the North Pole.
- Ootah
Oldest Eskimo, married, great hunter; loyal companion who has saved Henson's life and vice versa.
- Egingwah
Brother of Ootah, drives the Morris K. Jesup sledge; married and of good report.
- Seegloo
Veteran of the 1906 Farthest North party; steadfast and loyal, refused to turn back.
- Ooqueah
Young, sturdy Eskimo; works valiantly for promised rewards and to please.
- Captain Bob Bartlett
Departed southward with his two boys after reaching 87° 48' North, leaving the main column to continue.
Key passages
“We were six: Peary, the commander, the Eskimos, Ootah, Egingwah, Seegloo and Ooqueah, and myself.”
The final polar party consisted of Peary, Henson, and four Eskimo men.
Henson lists the members of the group that made the final push to the Pole.
“It was about ten or ten-thirty a.m., on the 7th of April, 1909, that the Commander gave the order to build a snow-shield to protect him from the flying drift of the surface-snow.”
Around mid-morning on April 7, 1909, Peary ordered a snow shield built so he could take a solar observation.
The precise time and date of the observation that confirmed they had reached the North Pole.
“I felt all that it was possible for me to feel, that it was I, a lowly member of my race, who had been chosen by fate to represent it, at this, almost the last of the world's great work.”
Henson felt honored that he, as a Black man, was chosen to be present at the North Pole, a historic achievement.
Henson's reflection on his racial identity and the significance of his role.