Jenny Diski: Skating to Antarctica

Overview of “Skating to Antarctica”

“Skating to Antarctica” is a travel autobiography by Jenny Diski which combines a journey to Antarctica with an exploration into her troubled past.
Diski’s narrative weaves together two parallel journeys: one physical voyage to the South Pole and another into the depth of her deeply troubled childhood memories.

Diski’s Language Use

Diski’s narrative is noted for its introspective and confessional tone, presenting a unique hybrid of travelogue and memoir.
Her evocative and vivid language takes the reader on both a literal and metaphorical journey of discovery.
Diski confidently uses metaphors, imagery and symbolism to connect her personal experiences with the Antarctic landscape.

Themes

Escape and Isolation: Diski’s trip to Antarctica signifies her desire to escape and find isolation, which reflects her inward journey to confront her past.
Identity and Memory: The narrative delves into the depths of Diski’s identity formation, shaped by her memories of a traumatic childhood.
Mother-Daughter Relationship: Diski brings into sharper focus her troubled relationship with her psychologically unstable mother, which heavily shaped her early life experiences.

Characterisation

Diski places herself as the central character, allowing her personal authority and insight to contribute to the authenticity of her story.
Her characterisation of her mother and harsh descriptions of their relationship provides insight into her previous life, emphasising the deep wounds resultant from her troubled past.

Setting

The icy desolate landscape of Antarctica serves as a powerful symbolic setting, expressive of her psychological state and her wish to escape from society.
Diski’s reflective descriptions of her childhood setting, provides a clear contrast to her present voyage to Antarctica, indicating the distinct phases in her life.
Just as Diski navigates the freezing expanse of Antarctica, she navigates her past: both journeys fraught with their own types of dangers and arduous struggles.

Remember, in order to add depth to your literary analysis, be sure to make detailed annotations and margin notes throughout your text. Noting down key passages or powerful quotes can effectively illustrate and support your understanding of the narrative’s themes and characterisation.