# XVII: 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 details the final stages of Scott's polar journey, including the discovery of Amundsen's black flag at the South Pole, the subsequent return march, and the harsh conditions on the Antarctic plateau. It describes the geological work at Mount Darwin and Buckley Island, the physical deterioration of the party, and the constant battle against wind, cold, and difficult surfaces. The narrative highlights the disappointment of being second to the Pole and the increasing struggle for survival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Endurance and Suffering

The party endures extreme cold, wind, exhaustion, and the psychological blow of being second to the Pole, with physical deterioration evident in Evans and Oates.

### Tragedy and Futility

The discovery of Amundsen's flag turns the triumph of reaching the Pole into a bitter disappointment, foreshadowing the tragic return journey.

### Exploration and Scientific Inquiry

Despite the race to the Pole, Wilson prioritizes geological collection, including coal seams and fossils, underscoring the scientific mission.

## Character check-ins

### Captain Scott

Records the disappointment at finding Amundsen's flag, notes the cold and fatigue of the party, and logs wind conditions during the plateau journey.

### Birdie Bowers

Discusses suicide contingency with the narrator, takes meteorological sights after camp, and keeps a diary of the return journey detailing depots and weather.

### Edward A. Wilson

Collects geological specimens at Mount Darwin and Buckley Island, writes diary entries on February 8 and 9 describing the geology and conditions, and notes the cold on January 14.

### Titus Oates

Mentioned as feeling the cold and fatigue more than the rest of the party on January 14.

### Edgar Evans

Unable to pull on February 8 and detached from the sledge, with cold hands noted at the Pole.

## Key lines

> Great God! this is an awful place.

Scott exclaims in his diary at the South Pole, overwhelmed by the harshness and desolation of the location.

_Captures the emotional and physical shock of reaching the Pole under grim conditions._

> The Norwegians have forestalled us and are first at the Pole. It is a terrible disappointment, and I am very sorry for my loyal companions.

Scott records the crushing realization that Amundsen has reached the Pole first, expressing sorrow for his team.

_Highlights the central disappointment of the chapter and the blow to morale._

> I am not sure that enough notice has been taken of that.

The narrator comments that the difficulty of the Beardmore Glacier descent is often underappreciated.

_Emphasizes the underestimated challenges of the return journey._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worst_journey_in_the_world_se/chapters/xvii-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