Post III

         This section, contrary to the last, lacked the motivation that I had originally praised the men for.  Not to say that they were wrong in not having as much hope as they started out with, because personally I would not have been able to have kept such optimism for nearly as long as they did.  There were many ups and downs that they experienced due to their change of scene and false senses of hope.  There was a concern that the ice would break, to me that would be a big concern seeing as how the ice was the one consistent part of this journey.  Shackleton did not seem to be as put together as he once portrayed, making asinine decisions, in my opinion.  Some of his decisions made sense but that does not qualify for them being moral.  When he ordered the men to leave the extra seal meat I felt that that wasn't a smart decision, regardless if it succeeded how much food they needed, at this point they could use all the food that they could get.  The worst part about this section, was the merciless killing of the dogs.  I understand his rationale of that decision however "a dog is a man's best friend".  Those dogs became friends to the men, especially Macklin.  In a way, it was a little way of keeping them sane, by having a connection with these dogs it had them still experience love in the purest form.  Not to mention the dogs could express anger or frustration like the other men, so it was a way to get away from that negative atmosphere.
          I do not judge the men for losing their faith that was so strong at the beginning of this book.  In fact, I give them credit for not yet losing it all the way.  Personally, I don't think that I would have made it this far.  I would have given up way too easily something that they still have not yet done.