LETTER 3

Summary

This is quite a short letter compared to the earlier two. The letter is written in July, four months after the second one, and reaches his sister through a merchant who is bound homeward from Archangel.

He talks of his crew being highly resolute; they do not let minor dangers, like floating sheets of ice, deter them. They are in the middle of summer now and have not encountered anything really dangerous, except for a few stiff gales and a springing leak.

This time he ends on a more optimistic note about success crowning his efforts. He believes that they deserve it, after all.

Notes

By now the reader sees that Robert has been in fairly constant touch with his sister, as the third letter is sent four months after the second. He begins on a sad note about not being able to see his native land, now that he is miles away from his hometown.

He is certainly proud of his men who go forth on the voyage, undeterred by the dangers they encounter. Robert says nothing about his own insecurity or uncertainty regarding the voyage. Instead, he talks about being in the middle of summer and encountering unexpected warmth. This could represent a greater intimacy with his crew.

His constant assurances to his sister about his remaining cool and rational seem to be more like a consolation to himself. He now feels burdened with responsibility as they are nearing their destination.

For once, he seems more optimistic about the success of his endeavors. However, he could be merely consoling himself again. But he firmly believes he deserves the success. The last few lines of the letter make the reader wonder if he had ever contemplated abandoning the voyage.

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