Life in the Antarctic has been described as ‘black and white’ – a metaphor perhaps for ‘live or die’.
The penguin, one of the world’s most anthropomorphised creatures, has become for many a personification of the metaphor.
In his novel Forbush and the penguins (1965;65), Graham Billing’s protagonist describes living in Antarctica:
It’s so bitter there sometimes, so black and white, so definite and unambiguous. We’re so used to ambiguity. We live in an ambiguous colourful world. But there – there’s only black and white, the colours of air and water. I’m so glad I’m going to be alone, unambiguously alone.
The writer then draws parallels between his observations of penguins and his own life journey.
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The colours of the penguin can be explained in terms of practical survival.
When swimming in the sea, it’s black back is difficult for an airborne predator to detect, as it merges with the darkness of the ocean depths. For predators beneath them, the white belly blends with the light filtering down from above the water.
Also, the black coat of the penguin more readily absorbs heat from the sun. Satnding with their backs to the sun helps to keep them warmer.
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Fred Elliott produced a folio of drawings: Antarctica in black and white.