The ironic undertaking
The absurdity of Shackleton's Incredible Voyage is obvious from the outset. By undertaking a quest to Antarctica, Shackleton accepts the ironic meaninglessness of life. Why risk their lives for essentially no gain? Why not? The undertaking is rooted only in passion, in tenacity, and in the quest for meaning. By going some place no man has gone, Shackleton and his crew expose the universality of death. The worst that can befall them (and to many this does happen) is death, and death occurs with or without adventure. This makes their acceptance of journey heroic.
Exploration and drama
There is a wonderful dramatic irony present in the Voyage because they go further than explorers have gone before. Their journey takes them into unseen places, places that are legendary and mystical. The cold terrain and the constant threat of death make the drama overwhelming. Then, when tragedy befalls the crew and the Endurance is shipwrecked, their expedition takes on even more drama. Many die, but some survive, and the question becomes their salvation. Will Shackleton return to save the remnant?
Leadership and doom
Sir Ernest Shackleton is a wonderful example of leadership potential. Not only does he entice men into a journey that is doomed from its origin, but also, he inspires them to quest. He inspires their courage on difficult, painful days when frostbite and hypothermia threaten their lives, and he reminds them that death occurs to everyone with or without acceptance and adventure. HIs role as leader is ironic, but perhaps most ironic is that he can be remembered as a literal savior, returning through the Drake Passage to save his shipwrecked crew.
Nature and life
When the crew travels southward to parts of Antarctica that have never been seen before by human eyes, they witness the majestic irony of nature. Not only does nature produce inhospitable domains beyond the wildest conception, but it also produces life that can survive it. What could be more ironic than finding animal life on the world's most impossible, remote continent. The beauty of life's nature is perfectly obvious when penguins walk by.
The heroic return
Not only is Shackleton a hero for his initial voyage and his commitment to human exploration, but he becomes a literal savior to his crew when he rescues those who were stranded by the shipwrecked Endurance. Their endurance leads to their rescue, and Shackleton's commitment to his crew makes him a memorable cast member in the history of human existence. His absurd heroism blossoms into an unimaginable narrative where nature's challenges take on mythic value.
