CBSE Class 12 English Journey to the end of the Earth Notes Set 02

About the Author

Tishani Doshi
(1975-Present) is an Indian poet, journalist and dancer. She has published six books of poetry and fiction. Her essays, poems and short stories have been widely appreciated. Her passion for dance made her lead dancer in the Chanderlekha troupe and she toured many countries performing on stages. She had travelled a lot and her most exciting travels include travel to Antarctica, Ethiopia, Bhutan, Mexico, Tanzania and Italy. She currently countributes to an Interivew series for The Hindu and Open Magazine.

Journey to the End of the Earth

Chapter Sketch

This is an enlightening account of Tishani Doshi’s visit to the coolest, windiest, driest continent in the world. She is hopeful that this vast expanse of ice will unlock many mysteries about the evolution of Earth. The chapter essentially presents her feelings regarding her experience in Antarctica.

About the Characters

The Narrator Tishani Doshi herself narrates her experience of Antarctica. From the chapter, we can gather that she is a thoughtful, adventurous, and enthusiastic woman who is full of life and excitement. She is cheerful about knowing Antarctica and is also thoughtful about the deteriorating condition of the Earth and warns readers about the same.

Summary of the Chapter

Going to Antarctica

The narrator went to Antarctica on a Russian research vessel named Akademic Shokalskiy, with a group of high school students. She started her journey from Madras, crossed nine time zones, six checkpoints, three water bodies and many ecospheres to reach her destination. When she reached her destinations, she felt relief and wonder.

Gondwana

The narrator tells us that six hundred and fifty million years ago, Antarctica was a part of a giant Southern supercontinent called Gondwana. At that time humans did not exist, the climate was warm and there was a huge variety of flora and fauna. After around 500 million years, Gondwana broke up and separated into countries.

Pristine Antarctica

The narrator was shocked to see Antarctica. There is no human life there and nothing to show that human life existed on this planet. She was surrounded by midges, mites, blue whales and limitless expanse of huge icebergs. There is twenty four-hour summer lights and silence, that is interrupted only by the breaking of an ice sheet or rocks.

Humans Damaged the Earth

Human beings have been on the Earth for about 12,000 years. In this span of time, we have changed the face of our environment for worse. As a result, we are damaging Mother Nature. We are limiting resources on the planet for other creatures. Increasing population has added to our woes. The average global temperature is rising and the blanket of carbon dioxide around the world is increasing.

There are many unanswered questions about climate change and the narrator is alarmed by them. In this debate, Antarctica has a major role to play. This is because as compared to other places it remains relatively ‘pristine’ and contains half-million-years-old carbon records trapped in its layers of ice.

Students on Ice Programme

The narrator works on the ‘Students on Ice’ programme which aims at studying the ecological processes in Antarctica. It takes school students on the trip of Antarctica to generate a new awareness and respect for our planet. The programme has been in operation for six years and is headed by a Canadian, Geoff Green. Earlier he used to take celebrities, and retired, rich curiosity seekers to Antarctica for money. However, soon he decided to take school students there. It was his firm belief that young minds could learn and act better about the potential hazards regarding the environment which our Earth faces. The programme was a success because children could see that the threat of global warming was real.

Phytoplankton

The visit taught the narrator that little changes in the environment can have big repercussions. The microscopic phytoplankton are nourishment for marine animals and birds in the region. Any more depletion in the ozone layer will affect the activities of these phytoplankton which will affect the lives of others in this region and the global carbon cycle. The phytoplankton leads us to conclude that if we take care of small things, the big things can be saved.

Overwhieming Experience

The narrator says that the experience of strolling on the ocean at Antarctica was a never-to-be-forgotten incident for all. At 65.55 degrees South of equator, the narrator and the students were told to get down. They put on Gore-Tex ice shoes and Sun glasses. On over 180 metres of salt water, there was one-meter-thick layer of ice.

The author is overwhelmed with the beauty of balance in play on our planet. She has many questions in her mind. Whatever be the answers to those questions, she is full of optimism about the teenagers who are full of idealism to save the Earth after having made the trip of Antarctica.

Word-Meaning

• ecosphere — part of the atmosphere where it is possible to breath normally or planetary ecosystem including all the Earth’s living organisms and their physical environment.
• expansive — open or unrestrained, vast
• flora and fauna — plant life and animal life
• thrive — prosper or flourish
• wiped out — killed or became extinct
• extinction — total disappearance
• mind-boggling — overwhelming extremely surprising and difficult to understand
• perspective — outlook
• microscopic — very small which can be seen through microscope only
• austral — related to Southern hemisphere
• ubiquitous — present everywhere
• consecrate — make sacred or bless
• prognosis — forecast or prediction
• ruckus — a noisy situation
• unmitigated — complete or absolute
• pristine — uspoilt, perfect
• blase about — to be indifferent to
• repercussions — consequence or outcome
• phytoplankton — very small plants that float near the surface of water and on which sea creatures feed.
• assimilate — to become part of a group
• epiphanies — manifestation of God or Divine
• wage — squeezed
• revelation — disclosure

Important Themes of the Chapter

Exploration and Adventure The excerpt centres around the author’s expedition to Antarctica, one of Earth’s most remote and inhospitable places. Through vivid descriptions and personal reflections, Doshi captures the awe and wonder of exploring unknown territories and encountering the pristine beauty of Antarctica’s landscape.

Environmental Awareness and Conservation Doshi highlights the fragility of Antarctica’s ecosystem and the urgent need for ecological conservation. She discusses the impact of human activities, such as climate change and pollution, on this remote continent and emphasises the importance of preserving its pristine environment for future generations.

Intricate Balance of Nature The story highlights the interconnectedness of all living beings and ecosystems on Earth. Doshi reflects on the complex balance of nature and how changes in one part of the world can have far-reaching effects on others. Through her experiences in Antarctica, she encourages readers to appreciate life’s interconnected web and take responsibility for protecting the planet’s biodiversity and natural resources.

Humanity’s Relationship with Nature The narrative prompts readers to reflect on humanity’s relationship with the natural world and the impact of our actions on the environment. Doshi emphasises the need for greater environmental stewardship and sustainable practices to mitigate the adverse effects of human-induced climate change and preserve the Earth’s natural beauty and diversity.