# The Polar Journey explained — The Worst Journey in the World

> Chapter companion for The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard.

## What happens

The chapter describes the departure of the polar party from Cape Evans on November 1, the challenges of the Barrier stage, the failure of the motor sledges, the condition of the ponies, and the strategic decisions made at One Ton Depot regarding the use of ponies and dogs for the ascent of the Beardmore Glacier.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Endurance and Suffering

The chapter highlights the physical and mental strain on men and animals during the Barrier stage, including frostbite, cold, and the struggle with difficult ponies like Christopher.

### Contrast Between Ambition and Reality

Scott's hopes for the motor sledges are dashed by mechanical failures, and the ponies' condition forces a strategic retreat from the plan to take them up the glacier.

### Leadership and Decision Making

Scott's councils of war and decisions about forage, pony use, and the glacier ascent demonstrate the burden of command in uncertain conditions.

## Character check-ins

### Captain Scott

Leads the polar party, makes key decisions about pony forage and the glacier ascent, and reflects on the motor sledges.

### Birdie Bowers

Last to leave Cape Evans with his pony Victor; participates in councils of war and records Christopher's behavior in his diary.

### Edward A. Wilson

Leads Nobby, the pony rescued from killer whales; communicates with Taylor via telephone; involved in pony discussions.

### Titus Oates

Handles the difficult pony Christopher; gives a pessimistic but hopeful assessment of the ponies' condition.

### Apsley Cherry-Garrard

Provides commentary on the motor sledges, the ponies, and the relief of not taking ponies up the glacier.

### Griffith Taylor

Describes the departure of the pony parties and his last communication with Wilson.

## Key lines

> Come, my friends, ’Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die.

The epigraph from Tennyson's Ulysses encourages embracing adventure and perseverance despite age and hardship.

_Sets the tone for the polar journey as a heroic quest._

> I do not believe that Scott built high hopes on these motors: but it was a chance to help those who followed him. Scott was always trying to do that.

Cherry-Garrard suggests Scott saw the motor sledges as an experiment to benefit future explorers, not as a sure success.

_Reflects Scott's forward-thinking and altruistic approach._

> Oates thinks the ponies will get through, but that they have lost condition quicker than he expected. Considering his usually pessimistic attitude this must be thought a hopeful view.

Scott notes that even the usually pessimistic Oates is somewhat optimistic about the ponies' chances.

_Highlights the tension between hope and reality in the expedition's planning._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/ix-the-polar-journey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters