CONTENT

1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
2. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
3. INTRODUCTION
4. SUMMARY
5. CONCLUSION OF THE TOPIC
6. IMPORTANT QUES. ANSWERS.
7. WORK MEANING
8. AMAZING FACTS
9. CONCLUSION
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my
English literature instructor Sr. Mariam (principal) who gave
me the golden opportunity to do this astonishing portrayal on the
chapter "The Journey To The End Of The Earth", which also
helped me in doing a lot of research and I came to know about
so many new things I am really thankful to them.

Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and friends who

helped me a lot in finalizing this project within the limited time
frame.
 THE JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE
EARTH
BY TISHANI DOSHI

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tishani Doshi is a writer and dancer of Welsh-Gujarati origin. She was

born in Madras, India, in 1975. She studied Business Administration and
Communications at Queens College, Charlotte, North Carolina and
gained a Masters degree in the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore.
She moved to London in 1999, becoming assistant to the advertising
department of Harper's and Queen magazine. She received an Eric
Gregory Award in 2001.She also works as a freelance journalist,
contributing to various newspapers such as The Guardian, The
International Herald Tribune, The New Indian Express and The National.
She was invited to the poetry galas of the Guardian-sponsored Hay
Festival of 2006 and the Cartagena Hay Festival of 2007.
Her first book of poetry, Countries of the Body (2006), won the Forward
Poetry Prize (Best First Collection) in 2006. Her first novel, The Pleasure
Seekers, was published in 2010, and was shortlisted for the Hindu Best
Fiction Award, and longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction and the
International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Everything Begins
Elsewhere (2012), a collection of poems, is her latest book.
Countries of the Body was launched in 2006 at the Hay-on-Wye festival
on a platform with Seamus Heaney, Margaret Atwood, and others. The
opening poem, "The Day we went to the Sea", won the 2005 British
Council-supported All India Poetry Competition; she was also a finalist in
the Outlook-Picador Non-Fiction Competition.
Her short story "Lady Cassandra, Spartacus and the dancing man" was
published in its entirety in the journal The Drawbridge in 2007.
Her poetry collection, Everything Begins Elsewhere, was published
by Copper Canyon Press in 2013.
Her most recent book of poetry, Girls Are Coming Out of the Woods, was
published by HarperCollins India in 2017.
Tishani Doshi delivered the keynote address at the 13th annual St. Martin
Book Fair on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten (St. Martin) in 2015. Her
book The Adulterous Citizen – poems stories essays (2015) was
launched at the festival by House of Nehesi Publishers.
Books

• 2006: Countries of the Body (poetry)

• 2008: Conflict and Instability (with [Tobias Hill] and Aoife Mannix)
• 2010: The Pleasure Seekers (fiction)
• 2013: Everything Begins Elsewhere (poetry), Copper Canyon Press
• 2013: Fountainville (fiction), Seren Books
• 2015: The Adulterous Citizen: poems stories essays (House of Nehesi
Publishers)[12]
• 2017: Girls Are Coming Out of the Woods (HarperCollins India)[13]
• 2018: Girls Are Coming Out of the Woods (poetry), Copper Canyon
Press
• 2019: Small Days and Nights (Bloomsbury)
 Introduction
In ‘Journey to the End of the Earth’ Tishani Doshi describes the journey to
the coldest,driest and windiest continent in the world: Antarctica. The
world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica. Geoff Green’s
‘Students on Ice’ programme aims at taking high school students to the
ends of the world. Doshi thinks that Antarctica is the place to go and
understand the earth’s present, past and future.

Summary of the lesson

Beginning of Journey-
The narrator boarded a Russian research ship-The 'Akademik
Shokalskiy'. It was heading towards the coldest, driest and the windiest
continent in the world, Antarctica. His journey began 13.09 degrees north
of the Equator in Madras (Chennai). He crossed nine time zones, six
checkpoints, three bodies of water and at least three ecospheres. He
travelled over 100 hours in car, aeroplane and ship to reach there.
Southern Supercontinent(Gondwana)-
Six hundred and fifty million years ago a giant southern supercontinent
Gondwana did indeed exist. It centered roughly around present-day
Antarctica. Human beings hadn't arrived on the global scene. The climate
at that time was much warmer. It supported a huge variety of flora and
fauna. When the dinosaurs became totally extinct and the age of
mammals began, the landmass was forced to separate into countries as
they exist today.

Study of Antarctica-
The purpose of the visit was to know more about Antarctica. It is to
understand the significance of Cordilleran folds and pre-Cambrian granite
shields; ozone and carbon; evolution and extinction. Ninety per cent of
the earth's total ice volumes are stored in Antarctica. Icebergs are as big
as countries. Days go on and on in 24-hour austral summer light.

Human Impact-
The most hotly contested debate of our time is whether West Antarctica
Ice sheet will melt entirely or no. If we want to study the earth's past,
present and future, Antarctica is the place (for us) to go. Antarctica has a
simple eco-system and lacks of biodiversity. It is the perfect place to
study how little changes in the environment can have big repercussions
(results).

Scientists warn that a further depletion of the ozone layer will affect the
lives of the sea-animals and birds of the region. It will also affect the
global carbon cycle. The burning of fossil fuels has polluted the
atmosphere. It has created a blanket of carbon dioxide around the world.
It is increasing the global temperature which is visible at Antarctica when
we see ice bergs melting away. It shows how minor changes in the
atmosphere can cause huge effect. If the global temperature keeps on
increasing the human race may be in peril. “Students on ice” is a
programme which provides the students an ample opportunity to
understand how global temperature can be a big threat to human
existence. It inculcates a new understanding in them. Geoff Green thinks
that high school students are the future policy makers. They can help in
saving the earth from ecological dangers and the effects of global
warming.
Effect of Climatic Change-

The author gives us an example to show how small changes in the

atmosphere can be threatening. The microscopic phytoplanktons are
single celled plants. They nourish the entire Southern Ocean’s food
chain. They use the sun’s energy to assimilate carbon and supply
oxygen. Any further depletion in the ozone layer may affect this
functioning and indirectly affect the lives of all marine animals. Walk on
the Ocean-It was the most thrilling experience of the visit. They climbed
down the gangplank and walked on the ocean. They were 52 persons.
They were walking on a meter-thick ice-pack. Under the ice pack there
was 180 meters of living, breathing, salt water. Seals were enjoying
themselves in the sun on ice. The narrator was wondering about the
beauty of the place. He wished it would not become a warm place as it
used to be millions of years ago. If it happens,the results can be ruinous.

Important Questions and Answers

Que. What is Antarctica?

Ans. Antarctica is southern continent of the earth. It is the driest, coldest

and windiest continent.

Que. What is ‘Students on Ice? (Imp)

Ans. ‘Students on Ice’ is an educational journey to Antarctica. It takes

high school students to show them the terrifying impacts of human
activities in Antarctica so that, the students (future policy makers of the
earth) will realize that the end of the earth is quite near and therefore
something should be done to save the planet.
Que. Why did Geoff Green decide to take high school students to
Antarctica?

Ans. Geoff Green didn’t find any good in taking curious celebrities to
Antarctica until he thought of taking high school students. He believed the
young enthusiasm in them would easily understand the seriousness of
the threat that poses the earth by visiting Antarctica and they would act
their bit to save the planet from further deterioration.

Que. Why is Students on Ice Program a success?

Ans. When one stands in the midst of the calving ice-sheets and
retreating glaciers and melting icebergs, he realizes that the threats to the
earth are real. It is different from talking about Antarctica from the comfort
zones of our warm countries and therefore being in Antarctica is a
shocking realization.

Que. Why are the youngsters called the future policy makers of the
earth?

Ans. The youngsters are called the future policy-makers because it is

they who will steer the government-machine as they grow up. More than
that, the more educated youth of today is the hope for the earth as many
students are more informed and more aware of the weakening strength of
the planet.

Que. What lessons are we able to learn from Antarctica?

Ans. While in Antarctica, we can ice-sheets breaking, water level rising,

seals taking sun bath on the icefloes. We can also walk on the thin layers
of ice and feel the life under our feet. We can see icebergs as big as a
small country. We will be shocked to hear that these ice sheets were
many times bigger than their present size a few years ago. You will see a
green patch of phytoplankton – a microscopic grass that feeds the entire
marine life. Last of all, if you dig a bit, you will be lucky to see the fossils
of half a million year old animals, plants and birds that got killed in the
previous ice-age. From all this, we are able to learn the lesson of the
death of the planet earth.

Que. What are phytoplanktons? How are they important for the earth’s
survival? What does the parable of phytoplankton teach us? (Imp)
Ans. Phytoplankton is a single-celled grass that feed the entire southern
ocean’s marine life. These micro organisms require a low degree of
temperature for their survival. But due to the overheating and the
depletion of ozone layers, their existence is threatened. The message for
the humans is to take care of the small things so that the bigger things
will also fall in place.

Que. How is Antarctica significant in climatic debates?

Ans. Antarctica is a continent that has a landmass with miles deep ice,
layers over layers. In each of those layers lie millions of years old carbon
records of the organisms that existed since the beginning of the earth.
While pondering over the issue of the future of the earth, these carbon
records will shed light on the past and enable the scientist to co-relate the
past, present and future.

Que. How do geological phenomena help us to know about the history of

humankind?

Ans. Geological phenomena certainly help us to know about the history of

humankind. A giant southern supercontinent- Gondwana did exist 650
million years ago. The climate was much warmer. It had a huge variety of
flora and fauna. Gondwana thrived for 500 million years. Finally, it broke
to separate countries as they exist today. It was the stage when
dinosaurs were wiped out and the age of mammals started.

Que. What are the indications for the future of humankind?

Ans. Rapid human population growth and limited resources exert

pressure on land. Burning of fossil fuels has only helped in increasing the
average global temperature. Melting of ice-caps, depletion of the ozone
layer and global warming are the real and immediate dangers for
mankind. They will affect the lives of all the marine animals and the birds
of the region.

Que. ‘The world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica: How is the

study of this region useful to us? (Imp)

Ans. The study of Antarctica shows that India and Antarctica were part of
a supercontinent named Gondwana. This supercontinent exists 650
million years ago. To The climate of Gondwana was much warmer. It
fostered a huge variety of flora and fauna. Then about 150 million years
ago, dinosaurs were wiped out. The age of mammals started. Gondwana
was forced to separate into countries. The globe was shaped much as we
know it today. A cold circumpolar current was created. It made Antarctica
frigid. Thus, we can say that the world’s geological history is really
trapped in Antarctica.

Que. Why is Antarctica the place to go to, to understand the earth’s

present, past And future? (Imp)

Ans.

Introduction: If we want to study and examine the Earth’s present, past

and future, there is the only place that is Antarctica.

Reason: To visit Antarctica is to be a part of the earth’s past history. We

come to know that about 650 million years ago there was a giant super-
continent in the south. It was called Gondwana. India and the Antarctica
were parts of the same landmass-Gondwana. Things were quite different
then. Human had not arrived on the earth. The climate of Antarctica was
much warmer. It had a huge variety of flora and fauna. Dinosaurs became
extinct. The age of mammals started. The landmass was forced in to be
separated into countries as they exist today.The study of Antarctica also
helps us to understand the earth’s present and future as well.Geological
history is trapped. Here in Antarctica we can study the earth’s past. About
90 percent of the earth’s total ice is stored here. There are no trees,
buildings or other human settlements in Antarctica. Here we see glaciers
melting and ice-caps falling. We can relate them to the results of global
warming. Antarctica also warns us for the future. It warns the end of the
world if the west Antarctica ice sheet melts entirely, and the Gulf Stream
ocean current is disrupted. What willhappen if the global warming results
in constant melting of icebergs? It will bring disastrous results. The further
depletion (decadence) of ozone layer will affect sea animals, vegetation
(plants and trees) and humans very adversely (undesirably).

Conclusion: There is no place in the Earth except Antarctica where we

can find the records of

present, past and future. Thus, Antarctica is the perfect place to go to, to
understand the earth’s
Word-meanings-
• Boarded- stepped (climed) onto a ship
• Heading towards- moving towards
• Windiest- having the maximum wind
• Continent- a large mass of land surrounded by sea
• Time Zones- 24 areas of the world, each has its own time
• Check points- places on the boarders where officials check people
and vehicles
• Landmass - large area of land
• Giant- huge
• Supercontinent- greater (more) than a continent
• Flora - vegetation
• Fauna- birds and animals
• Thrived- prospered
• Shields- protective plates
• Depletion- reduction in the quantity of
• Ice floes- ice floating in sea
• Icecap- permanent covering of ice
 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT
ANTARCTICA

1) The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most rapidly warming areas on Earth.

The Antarctic Peninsula is warming more quickly than many other areas on Earth. In
fact, it is one of the most rapidly warming areas on the planet. Over the past 50 years,
average temperatures across the Antarctic Peninsula have increased by 3°C, five
times the average increase on Earth.
2)There is no Antarctic time zone

Time can be a tricky conundrum in Antarctica. There are such extreme cycles of day
and night, with close to 24 hours of light in the summer and the opposite in winter.
And as you move towards the south pole, lines of longitude get closer and closer
together until they meet.

3) Every way is north!

If you stand at the South Pole, you are at the southernmost point on Earth. It doesn’t
matter which way you look, every direction is north. So why do we talk about the
Antarctic Peninsula as being in West Antarctica, and the section directly south of
Australia as East Antarctica?

It’s based on the prime meridian, the imaginary line which passes through
Greenwich in the UK at 0 degrees of longitude. If you stand at the South Pole and
face towards Greenwich, everything to your left is west and everything to your right
is east.

4) There's a subglacial lake that flows blood red

In 1911 on a remote glacier in East Antarctica, a strange phenomenon was

observed. The lily white ice of the Taylor Glacier was being stained a deep red by
water flowing from deep within the glacier.

For many years the source of the red colour remained a mystery, but in 2017
scientists announced that they had discovered the cause.

The water flowing from within the glacier was from a subglacial lake high in salt and
oxidised iron, and when it came into contact with oxygen the iron rusted, giving the
water its striking red shade - and its name, Blood Falls.
5) Antarctica has its own Treaty

When Antarctica was first discovered by humans in 1820, it was the only continent
without an indigenous population. Several nations quickly made claims to the
continent, which led to significant tension. While some countries argued that
Antarctica was rightfully theirs, others heartily disagreed.

As tension mounted, the need for a peaceful resolution was agreed upon. In 1959,
12 countries signed the Antarctic Treaty, an unprecedented international agreement
to govern the continent together as a reserve for peace and science. Since then, 41
other countries have signed the Treaty and participate in decision-making. All
decisions made within the Antarctic Treaty System are made by consensus, with
collaboration and agreement as the central pillars.

Today, the Antarctic Treaty System has expanded to include strict guidelines for
commercial fishing, sealing, and a complete ban on mining or mineral exploration.

6) Antarctica is a desert

With all of that fresh water - and the frigid temperatures! - how could Antarctica be a
desert?

When most of us think of deserts we think of sand dunes and sizzling temperatures,
but technically a desert doesn’t have to be hot or sandy, it’s more about how much
rainfall the area receives. Any region that receives very little annual precipitation can
be considered a desert.

Antarctica may be covered in ice, but it has taken 45 million years to grow to its
current thickness, because so little rain falls in Antarctica.

The average annual rainfall at the South Pole over the past 30 years is just over a
centimetre. Although there is more precipitation towards the coast, the average
across the continent is low enough to classify Antarctica as a polar desert.

As well as being one of the driest continents on Earth, Antarctica is also the coldest,
windiest and highest. It is a wonderful and stark land of extremes, quite unlike
anywhere else on the planet.
 CONCLUSION
After completing the assignment I came to acquire a lot of
information come to know about many things about Antarctica.
It's my pleasure to prepare this project and submit it in time. I
hope it would be a better one.
Here I have come to the end of the project on the chapter "
Journey To The End Of The Earth". I tried my best to include all
the essential features that are related to the given topic. Some of
the information which I wrote in this project were taken from the
Internet, and have referred to some other books. The project
contains all the key feature mentioned in the chapter. I do hope
that my project will be interesting and maybe even
knowledgeable.