# The Pole! explained — A Negro Explorer at the North Pole

> Chapter companion for A Negro Explorer at the North Pole by Matthew Henson.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters/xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_negro_explorer_at_the_north_pole_se/chapters