By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Scott and Shackleton were great heroes of the age of empire and exploration. But a new book charting shifting attitudes towards them might help tell us how our view of heroes has changed.
By Finlo Rohrer BBC News Magazine Scott and Shackleton were great heroes of the age of empire and exploration. But a new book charting shifting attitudes towards them might help tell us how our view of heroes has changed.
Once upon a time Robert Falcon Scott was the epitome of a Boy's Own hero. Who could fail to be mesmerised by the diaries of a man who, swept by blizzards and starving, was able to look death in the eye and accept it with equanimity?
Once upon a time Robert Falcon Scott was the epitome of a Boy's Own hero. Who could fail to be mesmerised by the diaries of a man who, swept by blizzards and starving, was able to look death in the eye and accept it with equanimity?
To take on a death-defying quest was admirable, but to die with dignity on such a quest was the mark of a hero in early 20th Century Britain. Despite Scott's apparent double failure, being pipped to the South Pole by the Norwegian Roald Amundsen and the death of his men, there was something both poignant and glorious about him.
To take on a death-defying quest was admirable, but to die with dignity on such a quest was the mark of a hero in early 20th Century Britain. Despite Scott's apparent double failure, being pipped to the South Pole by the Norwegian Roald Amundsen and the death of his men, there was something both poignant and glorious about him.
Scott, left, made it to the South Pole; Shackleton made it back aliveBut the past decades have not been kind to Scott. There have been vigorous attacks and defence of his competence and planning. Should he have used dogs as his primary method of hauling sleds, should he have done more to stop fuel tanks leaking, should he have opted for fur over manmade clothing?
Scott, left, made it to the South Pole; Shackleton made it back aliveBut the past decades have not been kind to Scott. There have been vigorous attacks and defence of his competence and planning. Should he have used dogs as his primary method of hauling sleds, should he have done more to stop fuel tanks leaking, should he have opted for fur over manmade clothing?
On the other hand, while Scott has had his reputation attacked and defended, Sir Ernest Shackleton has benefited from a new wave of lionisation. Television drama and exhibitions have attested to one of the most extraordinary feats ever achieved by an explorer.
On the other hand, while Scott has had his reputation attacked and defended, Sir Ernest Shackleton has benefited from a new wave of lionisation. Television drama and exhibitions have attested to one of the most extraordinary feats ever achieved by an explorer.
New generations have marvelled at Shackleton's reaction to the loss of his ship Endurance in the Antarctic ice. His leading of his men to Elephant Island and his expedition with a small group over the sea to South Georgia to get help is more than ever the stuff of legend.
New generations have marvelled at Shackleton's reaction to the loss of his ship Endurance in the Antarctic ice. His leading of his men to Elephant Island and his expedition with a small group over the sea to South Georgia to get help is more than ever the stuff of legend.
Shackleton was feted at the time, adulated in south and north America and knighted back in Britain, but now his star is in danger of eclipsing Scott's, says Stephanie Barczewski, author of Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism.
Shackleton was feted at the time, adulated in south and north America and knighted back in Britain, but now his star is in danger of eclipsing Scott's, says Stephanie Barczewski, author of Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism.
In her new book, Barczewski argues that two strands in modern popular culture in both Britain and America make Shackleton the more popular hero. The first of these, she suggests, is the desire for macho heroes since the 1980s, as a reaction against the economic and political uncertainty of the 1970s and a by-product of the premium on strong leadership.
In her new book, Barczewski argues that two strands in modern popular culture in both Britain and America make Shackleton the more popular hero. The first of these, she suggests, is the desire for macho heroes since the 1980s, as a reaction against the economic and political uncertainty of the 1970s and a by-product of the premium on strong leadership.
"Scott's image is much more of a tortured angst-ridden Victorian. But Shackleton is seen as a macho physical type. He is seen as a better hero," Barczewski says.
"Scott's image is much more of a tortured angst-ridden Victorian. But Shackleton is seen as a macho physical type. He is seen as a better hero," Barczewski says.
The key thing in Shackleton's mythos for the modern adulator is that his men made it back alive. For the post-Victorians, the death of Scott's party also had resonance. This was an era that liked to look for its heroes among splendid chaps like Gordon of Khartoum who often died awful deaths defending the glory of the empire.
The key thing in Shackleton's mythos for the modern adulator is that his men made it back alive. For the post-Victorians, the death of Scott's party also had resonance. This was an era that liked to look for its heroes among splendid chaps like Gordon of Khartoum who often died awful deaths defending the glory of the empire.
Culture of death
Culture of death
"There was this culture of death. People were much more eager to celebrate heroic death than survival. After World War I so many people were dealing with the death of relatives and friends," says Barczewski.
"There was this culture of death. People were much more eager to celebrate heroic death than survival. After World War I so many people were dealing with the death of relatives and friends," says Barczewski.
Moustachioed buccaneer: Flashman is a hero in the old mould: Shackleton on the other hand has been taken up as a heroic man manager for the modern age.His unflappability, ability to gauge the mood of his men, keep morale high and remain receptive to the ideas of his subordinates make him a corporate hero, says Margaret Morrell, author of Shackleton's Way.
Moustachioed buccaneer: Flashman is a hero in the old mouldShackleton on the other hand has been taken up as a heroic man manager for the modern age.His unflappability, ability to gauge the mood of his men, keep morale high and remain receptive to the ideas of his subordinates make him a corporate hero, says Margaret Morrell, author of Shackleton's Way.
Morrell cites the account of the men who remained on Elephant Island cheerfully building "snow maidens" despite not knowing whether they were going to live or die as evidence of the extraordinary trust and good spirits Shackleton engendered in his men.
Morrell cites the account of the men who remained on Elephant Island cheerfully building "snow maidens" despite not knowing whether they were going to live or die as evidence of the extraordinary trust and good spirits Shackleton engendered in his men.
"He got through some incredible ordeals so successfully. One thing that resonates for people is they don't want to be surrounded by yes men. Like Shackleton, they want to hear the unvarnished truth. He kept the lines of communication open with his men always asking for their opinions and advice."
"He got through some incredible ordeals so successfully. One thing that resonates for people is they don't want to be surrounded by yes men. Like Shackleton, they want to hear the unvarnished truth. He kept the lines of communication open with his men always asking for their opinions and advice."
The second major shift in thinking on Shackleton has been in response to changing perceptions of class, Barczewski says.
The second major shift in thinking on Shackleton has been in response to changing perceptions of class, Barczewski says.
Put simply, Scott is seen as aloof and posh, a symbol of the empire, whereas Shackleton despite also coming from the well-to-do is seen as more down to earth and adaptable for the modern era.
Put simply, Scott is seen as aloof and posh, a symbol of the empire, whereas Shackleton despite also coming from the well-to-do is seen as more down to earth and adaptable for the modern era.
People's heroes
People's heroes
"Shackleton is this everyman, he is seen as a much more democratic and accessible figure," says Barczewski.
"Shackleton is this everyman, he is seen as a much more democratic and accessible figure," says Barczewski.
21ST CENTURY HEROES Workplace sociologist Cary Cooper says today's trend for honouring of 'ordinary' people is a reaction against celebrity culture'We are in a celebrity age still. We feel guilty that we don't really recognise heroes, recognising ordinary folk is a guilt response'In 2007 carers were also elevated to hero status as ITV and the Sunday Times launched campaigns to help young carers But its not a label that sits easily, says Alex Fox, of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers'A lot would be very sceptical about being made into a hero - they see themselves as doing something that is an obligation¿ for someone in their family they love' The modern public look for people's heroes. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And they think they find what they are looking for more in Shackleton than Scott, Barczewski suggests.
21ST CENTURY HEROES Workplace sociologist Cary Cooper says today's trend for honouring of 'ordinary' people is a reaction against celebrity culture'We are in a celebrity age still. We feel guilty that we don't really recognise heroes, recognising ordinary folk is a guilt response'In 2007 carers were also elevated to hero status as ITV and the Sunday Times launched campaigns to help young carers But its not a label that sits easily, says Alex Fox, of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers'A lot would be very sceptical about being made into a hero - they see themselves as doing something that is an obligation¿ for someone in their family they love' The modern public look for people's heroes. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And they think they find what they are looking for more in Shackleton than Scott, Barczewski suggests.
We have come a long way since the notion of heroism that prevailed at the tail end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Then heroes were easy to define. They were people like Gordon, upper class men with stiff, and usually moustachioed, upper lips.
We have come a long way since the notion of heroism that prevailed at the tail end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. Then heroes were easy to define. They were people like Gordon, upper class men with stiff, and usually moustachioed, upper lips.
George MacDonald Fraser, in the Flashman books, parodied this love of the upper class, well mannered, death defying hero.
George MacDonald Fraser, in the Flashman books, parodied this love of the upper class, well mannered, death defying hero.
In those days hero was a simple label, the adventure magazines of schoolboys would have resounded with tales of men like Gordon, Livingstone, and Scott.
In those days hero was a simple label, the adventure magazines of schoolboys would have resounded with tales of men like Gordon, Livingstone, and Scott.
But by 2007 there is a feeling of change. As well as our re-evaluation of long dead heroes like Shackleton and Scott by modern standards, a different category of person is now feted. Baggage handler John Smeaton, who tackled a would-be bomber at Glasgow Airport is more to the modern taste.
But by 2007 there is a feeling of change. As well as our re-evaluation of long dead heroes like Shackleton and Scott by modern standards, a different category of person is now feted. Baggage handler John Smeaton, who tackled a would-be bomber at Glasgow Airport is more to the modern taste.
And 2007 was supposed to be the year of the people's hero. Gordon Brown published the book Everyday Heroes in July, his take on how to get society to respect volunteering and thereby volunteer more. The honours system should not just be about the great and the good, he said, but about the "ordinary" men and women who underpin the voluntary sector.
And 2007 was supposed to be the year of the people's hero. Gordon Brown published the book Everyday Heroes in July, his take on how to get society to respect volunteering and thereby volunteer more. The honours system should not just be about the great and the good, he said, but about the "ordinary" men and women who underpin the voluntary sector.
Now awards have gone to "ordinary" people. Edward Wilson was made MBE for three decades as a street sweeper in London's West End. Anne Milner earned the same honour for her work as a traffic warden in Cornwall. Dinner lady and school cleaner Dorothy Winner, a head teacher who had turned around a failing school, was knighted.
Now awards have gone to "ordinary" people. Edward Wilson was made MBE for three decades as a street sweeper in London's West End. Anne Milner earned the same honour for her work as a traffic warden in Cornwall. Dinner lady and school cleaner Dorothy Winner, a head teacher who had turned around a failing school, was knighted.
It's not quite adulation to the level of making it on to a stamp or into a television drama, but it's certainly recognition.
It's not quite adulation to the level of making it on to a stamp or into a television drama, but it's certainly recognition.
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Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism is published by Hambledon Continuum.Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
