Explorers or boys messing about?

references to a “farce” and describing the men repeatedly as “boys”:

The writer strongly suggests that the two men are both immature and foolish with

“The taxpayer would pick up the bill”

The issue of the cost of their rescue is highlighted several times, implying that the pair acted without due diligence, having failed to consider the consequences if they ran into difficulties:

The title poses a rhetorical question, with the use of the idiomatic phrase “boys messing about”

creates the impression that the men were naive and childlike

the use of words such as “farce” and “drama”

associated with theatre, implying that the expedition was not a serious venture

“The four-seater Robinson R44 has a single engine”, “100 miles off Antarctica, about 36 miles north of Smith Island”, “Nine-hour rescue”

Morris adheres to a journalist style in the article by employing facts and statistics, this lends credibility to the writer’s underlying criticism of the expedition

“claims to have been flying since the age of five”

He casts doubt on the men’s credentials

“Their last expedition ended in farce”

He starts the article with a statement, underpinning his criticism of their actions

“Experts questions the wisdom of taking a small helicopter”

Morris uses “expert” quotations to support his message that the men were foolish and socially irresponsible

“Royal Navy, the RAF and British coastguards”

The rule of three is employed when listing the organisations involved in the rescue, emphasising its scale and cost

“plunged” and “plucked”

cartoonish imagery that ridicules them and shows that Morris doesn’t take them seriously

“drama”, “also known as Q” which is later juxtaposed with ages “42” and “40”

References to James Bond make them seem immature and like kids and later learning that they are in their forties adds irony, highlighting their childish behavior in contrast to their actual age.

“emergency people?”

infantile expression - highlights lack of preparation and naivety as he does not even know how to refer to the people that will save them.

“deciphered”, “dispatched”, “surveying”

expert diction - contrasts highly with the vocabulary used to describe the two men

“nothing short of a miracle”

highlights the recklessness of the two explorers and how they could have died

“They’ll probably have their bottoms kicked and be sent home the long way”.

Juvenile lexis - refers to them being grown up kids