Category: Writing

State your point/topic (first sentence): Simons narration is significant in “Disaster-Chapter 5”
Expand with relevant background detail: Simons narration is told through Joe’s perspective, however Simon validated Joe’s account as “fair and correct.” Simons “voice” reveals that he resented Joe’s injury and that he felt justified in distancing himself from Joe.
Examples(specific): The text states “…” The reader is told “…” It is revealed “…” Words like “…” This selected text “…” Tells us “…”
Response (Your Response) – What does the reader learn? – What does the reader think/visualize/feel? – What connections can the reader make to other experiences or contexts? – What is the overall purpose/message? : The reader understands from this narration that Simon is calculating the value of his life against Joe’s. he also treats the situation logically and considers the “odd’s” of their survival, if Joe is assisted down the mountain. This presents an interesting reality about human nature: should we risk our own life for others? When does our relationship or commitment to a person end? Is it excusable to relinquish responsibility when we are endangered ourselves?  

Part 1
Emotive Language
Joe uses emotive language to helps us understand what the events were like by linking them to our past experiences. Example “…bones splitting…” this gives us the idea that his bones are being split apart, like when wood is cut. This is to show us how Joe’s knee broke, it also tells us that joe is becoming more detached from the leg, speaking about it more abstractly and that it is becoming a nuisance.
Metaphor
Joe uses metaphor throughout this passage to help us understand what he is feeling by linking it to something else. Example “…a fierce burning fire coming down the inside of my thigh…” this is comparing burning to the pain that Joe is experiencing. It is comparing fire to his pain, fire is consuming, and extremely painful and intense, this tells us that the pain Joe is feeling is completely consuming and very intense.
Narrator Voice
The narrator voice during this passage is first person, omniscient (all-knowing). This gives us full insight into what Joe was feeling in this passage as we are given all details.

Part 2
The purpose of including Simons perspective after Joe falls is to give us insight into Simons thoughts and perspective, and not just Joes speculation into what Simon is thinking.
“… I accepted without question that I could get off the mountain alone. I had no doubt about it.” “I watched him quite dispassionately.” “In a way I hoped he would fall.” “I knew I couldn’t leave him while he was still fighting for it, but I had no idea how I might help him.”
Simons narration foreshadows that joe will fall by repeatedly hinting to joe disappearing and falling. He also hints at the fact that he will leave the mountain on his own, and that he will not hesitate to if he needs to.

What Would I Do?

I would largely have done the same as Simon did, I would’ve helped as much as I could. However, I would have done some things differently. I would still have belayed Joe off the mountain but I would have kept the snow stake to use as an anchor. I would also have dug a snow cave to stay the night when it got dark. If I ended up in the same situation, having to cut the rope, I would have tried to change belay devices or anchored the rope. If this was not possible then the most likely scenario is that I would cut the rope.

On the Edge

The Pun

This pun is used well to summarize the events in the chapter because of its two meanings. The first meaning is that Joe and Simon are literally on an edge, that they are on a ridge line. The second meaning is that Joe and Simon are near the end of their abilities, strength and supplies, they are close to losing control and potentially die, or fall of the edge. This summarize the chapter well because throughout the chapter the come closer and closer to losing control, they have multiple falls and sketchy moments that they barely make it through.

 

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. The gas stove running out of fuel symbolism that Joe and Simon are running out of time and energy. It shows us Simon and Joe are moving closer and closer towards failure, accident, or maybe death.

These lines were included give us a look into Joe’s thoughts and his psyche. This passage reveals that Joe has doubts about his ability, and his purpose. It shows us that Joe feels like he has no control over his direction, and where his life is going. He feels as if the mountains controll him, not directly but that he needs them for satisfaction, but he will never be satisfied because there will always be a bigger challenge. The quote at the beginning of the text references dangerous men, this extract reveals more about the dangerous men. It reveals that the dangerous men don’t control their dreams their dreams control them, that once they reach their dreams they dream bigger, and then bigger again, until there dream is to big and they injure themself or someone else.

Joe and Simons Relationship:

As Joe and Simon begin there climb they seem to be enjoying themselves, having fun, working together, and have a carefree attitude to the climb. “Simon stood on the outside of one foot, hanging back on the ice screws hammered into the ice, casual, relaxed…” “Looking to my right, I smiled seeing Simon with legs astride a large rock, sack off, taking a photograph of me…” But as there climb becomes more dangerous there is more tension between the two and it almost seems as though they are trying to start conflict with each other. ‘ “You took your time,” he (Simon) snapped. I (Joe) bristled.’ Joe and Simons relationship is interdependent because at the simplest level they need each other for beylays, if for no other reasons, however Joe and Simon also seem to depend on each other for company.

The environment:

The environment for this part of the climb steep snow covered west face of Siula Grande, the face also has sections of rock and ice. This section of the climb involves the face being scaled in pitches because of its difficulty and length, this requires one climber to lead, which involves putting ice screws on the way up as anchors, and the other to belay then they rotate this means that the climber must switch positions and gear. Near the end of the chapter Joe is scaling the last of a pitch when he realises he has forgot to collect the ice screws for Simon when the rotated positions, he is able to overcome this by being very careful and thorough with his moves to minimise his chance of falling.

Language and Joe’s Experiences

As the chapter draws to a close we find out that Joe has had accidents on the mountains doing similar things to what he and Simon are undertaking. We find out that he has mostly recovered from his experiences, but he was close to dying, and that he is still scared of bivvies. Technical jargon is one language feature used throughout the this chapter, it is used so that we, the reader, get dialog that is more authentic to what would have been said in this situation, and so that we learn the proper names for all equipment, technical, rock and ice features, and the like.

1- I believe that these word mean that people how only dream are never going to achieve anything, but those who have their dream in the day, live their dreams, are going to do great things. However this could also be interpreted as people who try to live their dream, maybe shouldn’t, maybe they should just be dream because they are not achievable realistic or safe, this would make these people very dangerous to themselves and others. This quote is meant to make us, the reader, think about our dreams, our actions, and their consequences.

2- My first impression of Joe is that he feels right at home, in his element, where he belongs, in the outdoors. “The sounds of rustling, of fabric in the wind, or of rainfall, the feel, of hard lumps under ground sheet, the smell of rancid socks and sweat – these are universal, as comforting as the warmth of the down sleeping bag.” “I felt a homely affection for the tent…”

3- Simon and Joe have, at least as it is currently being portrayed, a healthy friendship. They seem to be more like brothers rather than friends, Simon seems to be the older brother that Joe looks up to, aspires to be, his role model. This gives us, as the reader, some idea of their relationship, it will also create some confusion, and maybe some hatred towards Joe and Simon later in the book, depending on our idea on what is acceptable, and what is not.   

4- The way that Joe describes Richard in the beginning of the book gives the impression that Joe and Simon think that he is unusual, a bit of a novelty. He makes it sound like they, Simon and Joe, found him amusing so they decided to invite him to come with them, and that they might be able exploit him. The way that Joe talks about him makes it seem that Joe believe Richard is a lesser man than Simon and himself. We as the reader may not pick up that Joe believes that he and Simon are superior to Richard, as we don’t pick up everything the first time we read through it sounds like JOe is just giving background information, but after having a closer look and rereading this passage we are able to unpack Joes true meaning.

5- The fact that Joe and his party are so far away from civilization would cause problems if problems if there complications on their climb because the isolation means that help won’t be easily reachable, if at all, and if or when it could arrive would  most likely be too late to be of help.

6- Joe repeats ‘We can do it’ each time he feels discomfort and fear to distract himself from his worries. Another reason is thank it psych himself up for the climb by repeating it over and over it makes him think he can do it.

Image
‘Blacked fingertips’ gives me an image of the narrator trying to move his fingers, having difficulty doing so, then looking down at his blackened and disfigured fingers.
‘The mountains held me in thrall’ this gives me an image of the narrator being surrounded by mountains on all sides, with what feels like, to them, there is no escape from them.
‘I gazed across at the icy white sweep of Sarapo’ This makes me think that the narrator is looking longingly at the summit of the Sarapo, one of the mountains around their campsite.

Language
‘Bitter’,bitter was added because it adds feeling and depth to the compared to just have ‘feelings’, it makes it easier for us,the reader, to connect with the feelings of the narrator.
‘Deep’,deep means very intense or extreme, this was included to helps us understand just how tired and exhausted the narrator was, and therefore how rejuvenated he was the next day.
‘Sweep’, sweep is a word that gives us an image in our heads, I believe that it was used to give us a clear image of how the mountain, Sarapo, looked.