WHAT HAPPENS IN THE PLAY?
Act/Scene
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Brief summary of what happens
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Prologue
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There is the sound of strong winds and a slide show. The slide show is pictures of the Terra Nova. Scott appears. Scott begins his message to the public to show the causes of the disaster.
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1
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1
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Scott is still in the Antarctic. He imagines Amundsen as the emcee for a program for the Royal Geographical Society. Scott is writing his letter and says that he can’t move the pencil. Amundsen urges Scott to address the Society.
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2
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Kathleen, wearing a summer dress, appears to Scott. Scott and Kathleen converse – Scott tells Kathleen that he can’t move his hands and that there is much he wants to tell her about the place. Kathleen reveals her plan for her son ([he] “… will love the nights, and he will love the sea.”) Amundsen interrupts Scott and Kathleen. Scott enters his vision and addresses the Royal Geographical Society, telling them that England will have the first team to arrive at the pole.
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1
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3
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Scott’s men enter (Bowers, Oates, Wilson, and Evans) Scott’s vision, but they are in Antarctica. Scott continues addressing the Society. He outlines his plan – to use only manpower. As Scott tells the society how rugged and fit his men are – meanwhile, the men show that they are not the perfect specimens of English manhood. Scott joins the men after the men address him directly. The men ask him for advice to get their sled over the ice. Oates informs Scott that Evans is favoring his left hand and not pulling his weight, thus slowing the pace. Scott tells Oates to put Evans on point so he can rest a bit and to look at Evan’s hand.
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4
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Scott concludes his speech to the Society. Amundsen reappears dressed in polar gear. Scott and Amundsen argue which method for reaching the pole is the best.
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5
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Kathleen enters and this transports Scott to the garden outside his home just after his birthday party. Kathleen reveals that she knows Scott will try to reach the pole again. Scott tells Kathleen that he will not go if she bids him to stay. says that he’s feeling pressured by the press and the British public to make a return trip. Kathleen tells him that she wants him to go because he will always “measure [her] against what might have been.” Kathleen says she wants Scott to be happy. Scott laments his age and rank. Younger men have higher ranks than he. Scott feels he’s getting older and time is running out for him to leave a legacy.
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6
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Kathleen bids Scott to come in to bed. At the same time, Bowers asks Scott if he’s coming to camp. Bowers picks up that Scott seems confused so he asks if Scott’s alright. Scott answers both with, “Yes – if I could just – have some time.” The men set up camp. Kathleen tightens Scott’s scarf to show she understands him and tells him that she won’t impede him. She tells him that he needn’t worry about her and their son, “Oh, we shall form a brave company of two….” Bowers comments to Oates about Scott’s distractedness.
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7
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The men continue setting up camp. Oates and Bowers discuss what they think is the nicest thing they’ll remember about Antarctica. Oates: “Leaving it;” Bowers: “I like the way a day here takes a whole blessed year to go by.” Wilson is with Evans, trying to see Evan’s hands. Oates, Bowers, and Scott bet on who was right about the mileage of the day. Scott wins the bet (11 miles – which is more than Oates and Bowers thought they’d traveled.) In the tent, Wilson tosses a fossil to Evens who “instinctively grabs it with his right hand.” He softly cries in pain. His secret is out – he can’t hide the condition of his hand anymore. Outside the tent, there is speculation about Amundsen’s progress. Wilson reports Evans’ condition to Scott: “He’s got a deep gash on his right palm. From the look of it, he’s been hiding it for days. He must have been extraordinarily careful, to keep any of us from seeing it…. It’s badly frostbitten…” Scott goes to see Evans in the tent. Scott sees the hand for himself. Evans hid the wound for 6 days because he was afraid he’d be sent home. Oates says that Evans should sacrifice himself for the good of the group. Wilson and Bowers defend Evans. Oates contends that if it were he, he would sacrifice himself. He asks Birdie and Wilson what they’d do and they do not answer. Scott gets angry at Evans: “You knew it wouldn’t have a chance of healing in this cold. You knew that! And yet you selfishly said nothing. Do you realize what this means to the rest of us?” Then Scott hits Evans in the face. Evans says reaching the pole is worth losing his hand. Scott apologizes for hitting Evans. Wilson is willing to share the blame: “Robert, I should have….I had my suspicions.” And Scott responds: “No, Bill. We all did. My fault.”
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8
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Amundsen appears to Scott. Scott is still angry about Evans’ not coming clean about his injury. Scott knows that Evans will die and justifies leaving him behind. When Scott realizes that he wants to leave Evans for his own sake, he justifies keeping Evans with the group: “Can’t you see I’m responsible for his life?” Scott is conflicted over which he values more: Duty, honor or sacrifice. Evans is not caught up with the group. The group is close to the pole and spirits are high. Oates is showing wear (Scott inquires about his hip, to which Oates responds, “Bit stiff.”) Evans finally catches up to the group and starts to collapse. He is laid on the sled. Evans wants to press on. He stands and is supported by Wilson and Bowers. The men all sing to lift their spirits as they continue on. Evans notices dog tracks. The Norwegian Flag is before them with a document containing the names of the team members. Oates refuses to believe the Norwegians got to the geographic south pole before the English team. Evans rallies: “Well, we got here. That’s something, isn’t it?” Oates blames Evans for their coming in second and physically attacks him. Bowers: “Titus – we missed them by a whole month. I suppose we never really…. What I’m trying to say is – it didn’t really make that much difference. It’s not his fault, Titus.” Scott appears upbeat and business as usual and has the men take a picture: “We’re at the pole! I think we owe history a photograph, don’t you?”
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9
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Scott is with Kathleen. She tells him it’s their anniversary. He reveals that he feels like he’s failed: “Well, it’s never been the right time for me, Kath…I feel like some ludicrous footnote to history – and I had so hoped for better things…. This is an awful place! And it’s terrible enough to have come here, without the reward of priority.” Bowers addresses Scott, which snaps him back to the pole. Scott asks his men not to look beaten in the photo.
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1
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The scene opens with slides depicting happy and leisurely people in Edwardian England. The last slide, by contrast, is the Terra Nova being docked, surrounded by mourners. The pole team enter, dressed in evening wear. They talk about wine and dining. They order fancy meals from the waiter – Amundsen. The men joke with each other. Scott orders for Evans, as if to protect him from Oate’s teasing. Evans toasts Scott. Scott toasts the king. Oates quietly slips in, “And thanks be to God for a safe return to our families.” Scott is cajoled into giving a speech. The speech he delivers exhibits the pride he feels in his men.
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2
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The dream is broken and Scott is brought back to the pole when Amundsen returns and tells them there is no food. Amundsen and Scott are now one since they have both been to the pole. Evans is in bad shape but keeps walking. “Amundsen” remarks that he’s not sure how Evans can go on. Scott contends that it’s the thought of home that keeps them going. “Amundsen” says (regarding Evans), “You would’ve been kinder to put a bullet through his head.”
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3
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Scott recalls his first one on one meeting with Kathleen. She is sculpting. Kathleen mentions that Scott’s presence at social events is much in demand: “Any affair that can flaunt you seems assured of success.” Scott replies, “I find it all flattering, of course – but perhaps a bit out of proportion.” Scott reveals that he is embarrassed by the attention. Kathleen asks him, “…don’t you ever feel just a bit of a sham?” Kathleen questions the value of Scott’s exploits. Kathleen tells Scott that he’s not what she expected and that she recognizes in him a fear of failure. They argue about the value of going to a place where “you can be killed at any instant.” Scott is insulted when Kathleen says that he sets an example of recklessness. Kathleen tells Scott that she chose him and that he will give her a son.
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4
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Wilson and Oates press Scott to make a decision about whether or not to haul Evans on the sled. Oates berates Wilson for making excuses for Evans. Wilson defends Evans.
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5
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Kathleen says that Peter came to her and said, “ Daddy won’t be coming back.” Amundsen remarks that it’s a lonely place – bringing Scott back to the pole. Oates whether or not anyone knows they’ve failed, or even cares. Amundsen speaks for Scott and says the relief party won’t come. Then Scott follows with, “We shall have to do it on our own.” Scott turns to Amundsen and looks frightened. The men discuss the consequences of failure and how they’ll be perceived when they return to England. Scott gives the men a pep talk. Evans is not with the group. Scott sees him in the distance.
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2
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6
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Evans enters spinning and then drops. He isn’t wearing a coat, hat, or mittens. Evans has lost touch with reality. He takes off his boots and lines them up neatly. He doesn’t let anyone cover him. Evans removes his shirt. Evans convulses and rolls across the ground. Wilson covers him. Evans feels like he’s burning. Evans accuses Scott of killing him, and falls backward. Wilson begs Evans to fight for life. Evans dies. Scott urges the men to get up and keep on so they can get home.
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2
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7
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Kathleen enters and tends to Evan’s as if she were cleaning up after Peter. Scott says goodnight to Peter. Kathleen assures Scott that she can care for Peter on her own. Scott worries about his legacy. Kathleen tells him that she didn’t fall in love with him until their son was born. Scott tells Kathleen that he loved her because she didn’t need him (but he wanted to make her need him). Scott says, “I thought, if she hasn’t any use for a husband , she does for a son.
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8
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Scott decides to leave Evans’ body. Amundsen lays out the bleak reality of their situation since Evans died. Amundsen suggests leaving Oates: “The sky is darkening. If the storms come now you’ll be finished. Oates is slowing you down, just as Evans did. You must make a decision. Scott still wants to fight. He’s still hoping that they’ll make it another 40 miles and they’ll all live. The storm comes. They must stay put. Scott and Wilson discuss Oates’ certain to die condition. Bowers suggests that they divide up the opium they have among them so that each man can decide to use it to commit suicide if he so chooses. Bowers says, “All I’m suggesting is that each of us has the right to end it if he sees fit, and if it comes to that. Quiet, peaceful, and with dignity.” Wilson is opposed. Scott agrees with Bowers and orders Wilson to divide up the drugs. Oates has gangrene. His toes came off in his boot. Scott decides, while Oates is unconscious, to give him a lethal dose of morphine. Oates comes to before Scott can administer the injection. Scott backs off. Oates reveals that it’s his birthday. He asks that the men leave him behind for his birthday gift. The men reminisce about spring in London. Oates says, “I never wanted to be any place but where I was.” Oates sacrifices himself to the Antarctic.
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2
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9
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Scott accepts the blame for the fate of his men. Scott evaluates the reality of the situation now. Scott is tempted, but chooses not to kill himself. Scott realizes that he outlasted younger men. Scott begins writing to Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Bowers to inform them that their sons will not return. Scott accepts that he will die.
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2
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10
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Kathleen appears and addresses the audience. She tells of how she found out that Scott was dead – although she already knew. She has accepted Scott’s death and removes his scarf from his neck. Scott says goodbye to Kathleen and gives her his blessing to move on and his dying wishes for their son. Scott realizes that Wilson and Birdie have died. Amundsen suggests to Scott that there is no longer a place for him in the world.
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11
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Scott’s fallen men appear to him and invite him to join them in death. Scott recalls and imagines when those close to him accepted their fate. Scott allows himself to die.
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B. The most important event in the play is in act 2, scene 9 when Scott decided not to take his own life, even though he knows that he will not survive. Earlier in the play (act 2, scene 3), Kathleen tells Scott:
A place where you might be killed at any instant is not a place worth going at all! That’s merely vulgar. I should think it would make more sense to go to a place where one might suddenly, at any moment, become alive!
In act 2, scene 9, Amundsen tells Scott:
The single moment you were born to live. One place, the pattern revealed Not the Pole, but here…. You feared life had passed you by, that you couldn’t keep pace with younger men. And yet, you see – it’s the younger men who are falling by the wayside, and you who are still strong. You thought it was a kind of death at the Pole – yet, I tell you, you were never so alive as now, and the moment you were born for is here.
C. How each character is related to or a participant of this event:
1. Scott/Amundsen has the realization that this is the moment when he proves his strength and his worth. This is when he is truly heroic.
2. Kathleen knows that Scott’s journey wasn’t really about reaching the Pole, but about this need to feel alive.
3. Bowers and Wilson are there in the tent with him, but they are much closer to death than is Scott.
4. Evans and Oates, who were younger than Scott, weren’t able to make it as far as he did.
5. Evans, Oates, Wilson, and Bowers made it as far as they could on the expedition and did not turn back.
D. The play is episodically organized. There is a juxtaposition of scenes going in and out of reality. The scenes mirror Scott’s mind, which is going from place to place. Sometimes the reality and the vision intertwine.
E. The climax of events is when Scott composes his message to the public. That is the point of no return, where he has accepted his fate.
F. Visual Action Chart
Scott appears and begins his message to the public
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Scott imagines Amundsen as the emcee for the Royal Geographic Society.
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Kathleen reveals her plan for their son.
Amundsen interrupts Scott and Kathleen.
Scott addresses the Royal Geographic Society. Scott describes how rugged and fit they are
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Scott’s men enter, but they are in Antarctica.
The men do not match up to the description Scott gave the Royal Geographic Society.
Oates mentions to Scott his concern about Evans favoring his left hand and not pulling his weight
Scott joins his men when they address him directly
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Bowers asks Scott if he’s coming to camp.
Bowers comments to Oates about Scott’s distractedness.
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Kathleen knows that Scott must return to the Pole.
Scott feels he’s getting older and time is running out for him to leave a legacy.
Kathleen bids Scott to come to bed.
Kathleen tells Scott she won’t impede him – he need not worry about her and their son.
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Wilson and Scott see Evans’ cut and badly frostbitten hand.
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Scott knows Evans will die
The Norwegians reach the pole first
Oates blames Evans and attacks him
Scott has the men take a photograph and gives them a pep talk
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Scott imagines he and his men reuniting at a fancy restaurant years after the expedition
Amundsen is their waiter
Evans toasts Scott
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Evans’ condition is deteriorating
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Scott is brought back to reality when Amundsen returns and tells him there’s no food.
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Wilson and Oates press Scott to make a decision about whether or not to haul Evans.
Oates berates Wilson for making excuses for Evans
Wilson defends Evans
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Scott recalls his first one-on-one meeting with Kathleen.
She challenges his exploits
She chose him
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The men discuss how they will be perceived when they return to England
Scott gives them a pep talk
Evans is not with the group
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Kathleen says that Peter told her, “Daddy won’t be coming back.”
Amundsen remarks that Antarctica is a lonely place
Amundsen speaks for Scott and says the relief party won’t come
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Even enters, seems to lose his mind, and dies
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Kathleen tends to Evans.
Scott worries about his legacy
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The storm comes
Oates is certain to die
Scott decided to kill Oates, but doesn’t go through with it
Oates kills himself
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Scott decides not to kill himself
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Kathleen reveals finding out about Scott’s death
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Scott begins writing his message to the public
Wilson and Birdie die
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Amundsen suggests there is no longer a place in the world for Scott.
Scott says goodbye to Kathleen
Scott’s fallen men appear to him and invite him to join them in death
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Scott allows himself to die.
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