Critical Analysis Modest Motives
Modest Motives
Ursula K Le Guin expresses her motive for going to the South Pole:
And the desire was as pure as the polar snows: to go, to see - no more, no less. I deeply respect the scientific accomplishments of Captain Scott’s expedition, and have read with passionate interest the findings of physicists, meteorologists, biologists, etc.; but having had no training in any science, nor any opportunity for such training, my ignorance obliged me to forego any thought of adding to the body of scientific knowledge concerning Antarctica; and the same is true for all the members of my expedition. It seems a pity; but there was nothing we could do about it. Our goal was limited to observation and exploration. We hoped to go a little farther, perhaps, and see a little more; if not, simply to go and to see. A simple ambition, I think, and essentially a modest one. (Le Guin 257)
When nine bold women in the story “Sur” decide to embark on the Yelcho Expedition, a physically and mentally demanding journey, they are well aware that if they succeed and their secret is exposed they will not receive recognition for their great accomplishment or be named heroes by any means. They will not be seen on the front page of the daily newspaper or receive any sort of praise for their braveness. If they flaunt their courageousness most will not believe that a group of mere women, on their own, made it to one of the last untouched spots on this earth before a man. If their plans are made known before they set out, they will not be permitted to go. They are women, and because of that, they are looked down upon in society. They endure strict expectations and limited freedoms. Knowing all of this, they will remain undisclosed with the exception of the boat crew, and go solely for their own internal purposes which will eventually be hidden in an attic away from the rest of the world. This particular expedition is driven by...
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