# The Last Exploring Expedition explained — The Fur Country

> Chapter companion for The Fur Country by Jules Verne.

## What happens

As the sun begins to rise higher and the long winter shows signs of easing, the colonists prepare for the eventual thaw. Lieutenant Hobson discusses the drift of Victoria Island with Mrs. Barnett, and they plan to wait until the island reaches Bering Strait before launching their newly built boat. A reconnaissance expedition is organized to assess the state of the ice field and the surrounding icebergs. The party, including Hobson, Mrs. Barnett, Kalumah, Marbre, and Sabine, sets out on March 7th, navigating treacherous ice and witnessing the sublime yet dangerous beauty of the ice-wall. They discover a valley through the icebergs and emerge on the opposite side, gaining crucial knowledge for their future escape.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival Against Nature

The colonists face the constant threat of being crushed by advancing icebergs or swept away by avalanches, highlighting their precarious existence.

### The Sublime and Uncanny Nature

The ice-wall is described with vivid, almost fantastical imagery—'jasper-like ribbons of green and blue,' 'sparkling crystals,' and 'delicate ice-flowers'—emphasizing nature's awe-inspiring and dangerous beauty.

### Scientific Curiosity

Hobson and Mrs. Barnett discuss the drift of the island, the thaw patterns, and the internal structure of the icebergs, reflecting a methodical approach to understanding their environment.

## Character check-ins

### Lieutenant Jaspar Hobson

Leads the expedition and discusses the thaw and island drift with Mrs. Barnett.

### Mrs. Paulina Barnett

Inquires about the thaw and accompanies the reconnaissance expedition.

### Kalumah

Confirms the direction of the thaw and acts as a nimble guide through the ice.

### Mac-Nab

Completes the construction of the boat for the colony's escape.

### Michael Hope

Recovers from illness and ventures out for the first time on February 20th.

## Key lines

> When does the thaw commence in these northern seas?

Mrs. Barnett asks when the ice will begin to melt.

_Shows her concern about the timing of their escape._

> The ice always goes down the Bering Current.

Hobson explains that the ice drifts southward via the Bering Current.

_Reveals his understanding of local ocean currents._

> It seemed as if by a kind of glissade the chain of icebergs had drawn nearer to the island.

The icebergs appeared to have slid closer to the island.

_Describes the menacing advance of the ice barrier._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-the-last-exploring-expedition
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_fur_country_se/chapters