He spared no one, not even himself, and he drove us on by the sheer force of his will. And then Birdie spotted that black flag. . . .

Question

Amundsen had beaten us to the Pole. We put up the tent right away. It was curious how we each reacted to the realisation that our fearful labours had been for nothing. Birdie was angry; the Norwegians were poor sports, sneaks, not worth bothering about. When the story came to be told our feat of manhauling would be seen as the greater triumph. Bill busied himself making a sketch of the cairn and the flag and hardly opened his mouth. Scott himself was surprisingly philosophical. I think the shock of disappointment was so severe he could scarcely take it on board.
From Beryl Bainbridge, The Birthday Boys: A Novel. Copyright 1991 by Beryl Bainbridge
The previous text suggested that Scott and his men were saddened. How does this historical novel build on or challenge that idea?
it suggest that most of the team was angry at amundsen
it shows how each member of the team reacted differently
it suggests that scott was less disappointed than his team

Answer 1

The excerpt from Beryl Bainbridge's "The Birthday Boys" shows how each member of Scott's team reacted differently to the realization that Amundsen had beaten them to the Pole. While Birdie expresses anger towards the Norwegians, suggesting that they are poor sports, Bill remains focused on documenting the event, indicating a sense of duty rather than emotional response. Scott himself appears to be in shock, demonstrating a more philosophical approach to the disappointment.

Thus, the novel builds on the idea that while the team was saddened by their failure, their reactions varied significantly. It captures the complexity of human emotions in the face of disappointment, showing that anger, resignation, and a sense of duty can coexist. Therefore, the correct summary of the historical novel's portrayal of the team’s emotional response is that it shows how each member of the team reacted differently.