Author: Annabel Carter

Mirror Mirror On The Wall. 

Her remains of breakfast line around her cherry lip gloss, her dimples concave into her rosy red cheeks, Something so intoxicating about her giggle leads us into believing her presumptuous ways. She stares at her reflection for hours envisioning her irradiant blue eyes similar to the nearby shore, a sea of chestnut hair plunges down landing softly upon her shoulders. She carries herself with pride wiggling her hips as she walks as if she’s starring in her own music video, a confidence in each stride leading a residue of sand pathing its way through the bathroom. Mirror Mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all she declares, Stationing on the brink of the sink she envisions a fighter, her dauntless expression tells a story of her future, one that is filled to the brim with passion and love, A life in which she cannot wait to grow up and become the self reliant women she fantasises of. The reflection of a budding child already showing off her class and elegance just like her barbie dolls freshly out of there homes of plastic. 5 years old never seemed so carefree. Candidly without restraint she showers her reflection with kisses, her tender soft lips press up against the glass layering the modest figure with affection and sympathy. 

Her dimples arn’t as provident like they use to be, instead lined with aged marks living within her skin. Irradiant blue fades away leaving a shadow of grey settling below her eyelids. A lone silver strand hair sits perched within her roots. Her younger envisions of a women have almost expired into the depths of her appearance. No longer does she sway her hips as she walks instead her high heels belt the marbled floor of the bathroom. Mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all she shouts, her broken voice echoes through the corridors leaving a sense of despair. As her towering figure overshadows the mirror she envisions a life where bills and broken relationships were no longer known and her feelings of growing up were as boisterous and blissful as her childhood. Her elegance of a body capped with crippling curves poses within the stained glass, an affliction of self love with-drawled from its barriers and into a sea of desperation. 30 years old never seemed so careless. Although having a robust restraint she precisely lays her red lips in contact with the mirror, there she gently kisses her reflection sprinkling the last remaining love in hope of a new lif

INTRO: A human nature for success and recognition can take us through a life of fame and fortune, something most people do not have. However scaling mountains not yet conquered or going out into the wild with no source of contact comes at the furthest risk. Is Leaving everything you have for self achievements and goals worth a life? or more? The texts “Into Thin Air” written by Jon Krakauer, “Touching The Void” written by Joe Simpson, “127 Hours” Directed by Danny Boyle and “Into The Wild” Written by Jon Krakauer are all examples of how human nature pushes us to our limits no matter what the costs are. We as the viewers can understand throughout these texts and films on how these men push themselves to achieve great lengths, Ultimately leading themselves into there own death beds.

Throughout Jon Krakauer First person account “Into Thin Air” a simple question overhanded the storyline. Why would someone travel across the world into the slopes of Mt Everest and risk their own lives? In the compelling novel “Into Thin Air” Jon Krakauer a mountaineering enthusiast climbs into the summit of Mt Everest, there, limits are tested, an expedition to conquer the highest mountain on earth for a goal or achievement turns quickly around into an ultimate fight for survival. The reader learns within the beginning of the book that Jon has been passionate about mountaineering since childhood, his dreams of conquering such mountains had become a life planned out for him all at the early ages of 8 years old. With this in mind the reader could get an understanding of the goals and accomplishments Krakauer was setting for his personal self. Jon explained within the begging of the text “Nobody was admired more than the so called free soloists; visionaries who ascended alone, without rope or hardware” As well as Jon the mountaineering community knew that for fame and recognition a much larger risk was to be taken, one that could potentially put your own life in danger. This shows the reader through Jon’s Lens and is able to get an understanding of the reasons Jon would go on to risk himself and the others around him. This was later known as the “Everest Disaster”.  “Previously, Everest had by and large been the province of elite Mountaineers”. Before Jon Krakauer was born Mt Everest was seen as the most challenging mountain to climb and never before had man reached the summit. In the three years Jon lived to climb, Mt Everest had been conquered over 100 times, now seen as an easier route of mountaineering Jon began to look down his nose on the worlds highest mountain. This is where the viewer can see a change in direction for Jon goals, he began climbing harder and more challenging routes that no human had done before, ultimately leading for his expedition on Mt Everest to take a turn for the worst.

Throughout Jon Krakauer Novel “Into Thin Air” the story of Jon expectations of himself and his own mental battle with his goals and achievements anticipate him to risking his life and others. This comes back to the question of why would Jon take such a risk for his recognition towards the mountaineering community. Throughout the text the reader could see the intensions of Jons life exceeding expectations of himself, the risks he would take for recognition could be seen by his past journeys. Which leads us to his account of the tragic incident on Mt Everest where eight people lost their lives on the journey back home from the summit of the worlds highest Mountain.

“Touching The Void” written by Joe Simpson is the recount of an event that would shake the mountaineering world forever. Joe Simpson and Simon Yates journey up to the mountain of Siula Grande there they would attempt to reach the summit where no man had gone before, It was the ultimate risk to take but both knew the consequences if things were not to go to plan.  Joe Simpson within the beginning of the text quoted “We were in the middle of cordillera Hauyhuash, in the Peruvian Andes, separated from the nearest village by twenty eight miles of rough walking.” This shows that Joe and Simon both know the risk they are about take, the challenges they might endure. It tells the reader how vulnerable they really are 4,500 feet up the face. As the reader we are soon to question why take such a risk? Is their fame worth both lives? This is not only seen within Joe’s experience, in a real world context many expeditions take their teams into an apparent “death trap”, mountaineers risk their lives and the others around them to complete a goal where fame and recognition would come at a cost.  Joe Simpson similar to Jon Krakauer had been dreaming of conquering such mountains since childhood, with a goal in plan the likely hood of completing this comes at the ultimate sacrifice, potentially leaving everything to reach the summit. Within the first chapters of “Touching The Void” the reader is able to understand Joe’s passion for climbing and the achievements he has succeeded in and those he has not yet finished. “If you succeed with one dream, you come back to square one and its not long before your conquering up another, slightly harder, more ambitious – a bit more dangerous.” Joe Simpson expressed within the text of his sense of an anti- climactic climb to the summit ultimately pushing himself and his partner Simon to endure in a much harder and difficult mountain from Siula Grande. He expresses seeking out something that will push him to his limits mentally and physically, a journey that could potentially put his whole life in danger. Joe is willing to place everything on the line while climbing, all for a sense of achievement he was searching for at the beginning of all his expeditions, when he was only at a young age.

Touching the Void is similar to Into thin Air as both men were seen chasing a dream or goal to conquer such a journey. The same questions can be seen by the reader from both texts, Why put your own life at risk to complete and achievement for recognition even fame? Joe Simpson and Jon Krakauer were both determined to reach the summit that they ultimately forgot about the risks, the risks of leaving everything you have behind and putting your life on the line. Both texts showed the reader how at such an early age both men were determined to reach great heights, The heights at which could potentially end your life and the others around you. Although similar the differences between Joe and Jon are seen throughout the text by the actions taken within their own settings. Joe being 25 years old when the event of Siula Grande took the world by storm was no more than an amateur climber, the decisions made by him can be seen through the actions he took while descending down the shafts. Joe Simpsons contrast between Jon Krakauer through age and experience can be understood throughout both texts as that would be the key for both mens survival. This showed that although there goals may of been similar, the survival of both men was seen through the quick rational decision both made and realising that overcoming your achievements may not be worth a life.

127 hours directed by Danny Boyle is the true story of one mans fight for survival within the depths of Blue John Canyon. Stuck in a crevice with a Boulder crushing his right arm, Aron Ralston fights for 5 and a half days living off barely no food and a near empty water source. Aron adventures out into the unknown with little preparation before hand, he was not prepared for the events that followed, causing him to take a risk of his lifetime. By the spring of 2003 Aron had set out a plan to conquer the canyon as it had been drenched with snow before hand, This was seen to the viewer as goal and intension of his and nothing was seemingly getting in the way of it. Throughout the first 10 minutes of the movie, the camera shots used almost exaggerate the use of water, as later within the film we were able to see how precious the water source is for Aron. The use of the director showing an overflowing tap Shows a contrast between his life and the source. By the director showing the viewer this we were able to get an understanding on how unprepared Aron was before adventuring out into the depths of the Blue John Canyon desert. Many other camera shots showed the risks Aron took before heading out of the sanctuary of his home, we were able to see Aron fiddling with a knife that he could not reach on the top shelf which ultimately lead to him grabbing not a suitable survival knife, As we later learn as the viewer that this was the most important aspect of his survival. Another scenario which showed the viewer how much of a risk Aron was taking was not telling anyone where he was going, The director showed this by showing Aron’s mother calling him through his cellphone which he ended. Without telling his mum where he was gong he was taking a potential risk of no one knowing the location of which he was missing. Aron’s selfishness of refusing to talk to his mum was the risk he took by stride. The viewer is left questioning the actions of Aron Ralston before journeying off into the canyons, Why take such a risk leaving everything you have if you know it could be worth your life? 15 minutes into act 1, Aron falls, smashing his hand against a boulder. He is alone, unable to project his voice, with a limited water source and equipment we as the viewer can see the importance of preparing for a journey like this is, and how taking such a risk could potentially lead you to your death bed. Aron has no cellphone coverage which the director emphasises when driving through into the canyon, a sign telling us how far away he Is from the nearest civilisation and ultimately rescue.

Aron Ralston’s “127 hours” film is different to the text “Touching the Void”. The contrast between Aron’s preparation and Joe Simpsons shows the viewer the maturity of both men. The risks both men made prior to their journeys may of got them out of the trouble they came across. The viewer was able to understand how Aron was unable to gather the correct equipment and go through the necessary procedures before biking into the canyon. On the other hand Joe Simpson before leaving his home of England was able to gather the correct equipment for climbing and a large source of water and food. Joe Simpson Before scaling Siula Grande did not take the risk of if something were to happen he wouldn’t be prepared. Aron on the other hand was not prepared for the events to come, risking his life for a simple mistake. This shows that to prepare for an event if its mental or physical it is as important than conquering the mountain we climb on. We as the viewer are able to see the much larger risk Aron took towards his journey than Joe, this highlights the importance of preparation and skill towards your specific hobby. Both men held a similar aspiration to life which leads us back to the question of why take such a risk if you now it could be worth a life? This question overhangs all the four texts which connects them into similarities, All four men took a chance which put them into serious danger, some lucky to survive, others not so. 

Into The Wild, Written by Jon Krakauer is the story of Christopher Mcandlers journey into Stampede trail in Denali Nation Park, Alaska. Jon Krakaeurs book based on the true story of Chris’s journal shows us as the reader an understanding of how goals and life long achievements can push us to our breaking point, A life where Chris held different opinions/values towards his loved ones ultimately caused the death of this famous hitchhiker.  Throughout the text which was written according to his journal writings, Chris had perceived his home life as materialistic towards a life of “success”, he became increasingly antagonistic towards the values his parents held, causing him to later on “escape” the life he had planned out ahead of him. Throughout the text we as the reader could understand how Chris was never really on the same page as his parents, his ongoing struggle he had to understand there values was a key attribute for him leaving them.  Chris’s family had expressed that they had high hopes for him and his future, he was seen as a very successful student that would go far in life. So what ultimately lead Chris to leave all he had to hike out into the Alaskan wilderness? We as the reader may of felt that what Chris did by leaving his family behind was a selfish act, They expressed throughout the book that his parents loved him dearly and hired private investigators to find there beloved son. The consequences of Chris’s actions have not left the family name, forever causing grief and questions to this day. Within the first chapters of Jon Krakauer Into The Wild we as the reader could get an understanding of the goals he held for himself and the achievements to conquer that were much different to his family. The details beginning to unwind in chapter 4 see the action taken to achieve what Chris was hoping for at the very begging of his life. The reader sees Chris graduating then leaving his home and family without a trace, Mcandless proceeded to travel to Lake Mead in Nevada, there he burnt his earnings of $120 and then his backpack. Backpacking alone with no money came at the ultimate cost for Chris, he started to see the consequences of his actions but did not proceed to turn back. He carried on hiking further and further into the Denali National Park until he came across an old buss, there He took refuge, weeks passed but starvation was creeping up on him, with a limited source of food he decided to hike back along the trail. But no further than a few kilometres he realised that the river bed had overflown with rain, he was stuck between the buss and refuge. This is where the reader can see the risk Chris took on his own life to succeed in his own self worth and goals, the question of him risking his life for his own mental achievements came at a much greater cost. In 1992 aged 24 Chris died within his camp in the Alaskan wilderness, the cause of death was seen as malnaroushment a cause of starvation. His fight for recognition and understandment within his family chased him to defeat.

Into The Wild, Written by Jon Krakauer is similar to the film 127 hours directed by Danny Boyle as both men showed us an individual desire to complete a goal and achievement which the loved ones around them did not acknowledge. Chris Mcandless and Aron Ralston both journeyed away from their society without telling anyone where they were going, As they both held similar aspirations towards life, an objective of theirs were to travel alone, with no help or support. Was this to find who they are as individuals? or was it a so called suicide mission? Chris’s journey through the Alaskan wilderness showed a similarity between Aron’s event within the Canyon, Chris became attached to his objective of leaving the society in which he felt he did not fit in, while Aron may of also felt like he left his families values behind as we can see as the viewer within the beginning of the film a strain on his relationship towards his mother. The viewer/reader is able to get an understanding on how Chris and Aron’s values lead them into their events of survival. Both men had strains towards there families which was the strongest objective for there determination into the wild. 

Success, fame, recognition can exceed expectations, a life of triumph within yourself and society is seen as a life long goal. An intension to summit the worlds highest mountain, journey through the Alaskan wilderness, or even scale a not yet conqured Glacier is near impossible to complete. But all this comes at the sacrifice of a lifetime, putting yourself and others in harms way to complete a goal or achievement. Risking everything you have to become recognised within your field of aspirations can lead us to leave everything behind, friends, family and ultimately our life. Throughout the texts “Into Thin Air”, Written by Jon Krakauer, “Touching The Void”, written by Joe Simpson, “127 Hours”, Director by Danny Boyle and “Into The Wild”,Written by Jon Krakeaur all showed us the similar aspirations these men held when journeying into their field, their field filled of graves. We take these risks for an objective within ourselves, where a purpose of living overshoots beyond the norm of society. Living comes at the ultimate cost. 

“Life can deal you an amazing hand. Do you play it steady, bluff like crazy or go all in? I’ll never know. “- Joe Simpson, Touching The Void.

 300 feet from the surface, a shattered knee, alone and dying. Touching the Void written first hand by Joe Simpson, is the real life account of the 1988 disaster on Siula Grande. The writing techniques used throughout the text gives an emotional response, a feeling of urgency. These techniques include foreshadowing, Personification and minor sentencing, all may have to the power to alienate the reader. 

FORESHADOWING

Foreshadowing is used in touching the void as a way to create tension by underlining the further events to come. In touching the void, Joe Simpson a mountaineering enthusiast journeys up Siula grande with his companion Simon Yates, While descending down the mountain Joe falls into trouble, unsure if he will make it out alive, Joe simpson gives the reader a lot of indications that something will go wrong within the text, even if the characters don’t know it at the time. Joe does this by referring to his sense of anxiety and friends worrying about the passing weather forecast. For example in the opening chapter Joe expresses his sense of worry and feelings of danger although he has no recognition of why he feels the way he does. Within the first 4 chapters of the text both men’s climb up Siula Grande has been too good to be true, there climb up towards the summit had been presented with barely no life threatening mishaps or accidents. This affected the readers knowledge and understanding causing the reader to feel a false sense of security and courage, ultimately anticipating the accident that happens in the future days to come. Joe describes at the beginning how comfortable he feels at the start of the text and within the safety of his tent, It is the warmth and security he will later be losing. Simon quotes at the start of the text “I dont think its (the weather) anything like as bad as it seems”, This gives the reader a false sense of security of how good the climb up the mountain will be. The writer uses stories of past events to show a sense of foreshadowing throughout the first 4 chapters. In Chapter 2 Joe recalls a fall from Bonatti Pilla, a mountain very few have conquered, The flashback shows that, despite a traumatic incident, Joe is willing to keep climbing, showing us a tremendous passion and mental strength, that his friend later lost after the recovery.  Joe also talks about the changing environment and weather forecasts set for there acend.  He as the narrator creates a sense that the pair will not be able to overcome the path that is ahead of them, that all odds are against them, and that any safety felt in there tent is temporary.  The method of “Foreshadowing” throughout “Touching the Void” suggests what will happen in further events to come. The occuring mishaps and plummets of Joe and Simon in chapter 3 and 4 prepare us for an even bigger event later on. This means although we might know as the reader what will happen, We lose understanding of exactly when it will happen.

Foreshadowing has also been used in the similar text of “Into Thin Air” written by Jon Krakauer. Jon was apart of an expedition to the top of Mt Everest amongst the Himalayans, this journey was later known as the “Everest Disaster”. Jon while climbing with others hits an unpredictable storm, causing a tragedy to stir. Within the text Jon repeatedly describes his climb to the summit of Everest as “7000 feet of sky on either sky”, Jon gives descriptions of his feelings while coming close to the summit of Everest, while also never fully allowing the reader to experience a sense of safety,      “overwhelming apprehensive about the long, dangerous desert ahead” the reader may feel panic and uncertainty of what events may happen later. This comes to play when danger sets next in the text causing the ultimate disaster to creep up on the reader and fear for the worst.

PERSONIFICATION

Personification is the art of attributing personal nature or human characteristics to a non living image to give a representation of an abstract quality in human form.  Personification is used when Joe simpson descends from Siula Grande and falls off a ice shaft, he describes the excruciating pain coming from his knee. He uses this to show the physical results of the fall telling the reader “the pain had flooded down” and how his knee had “exploded”. This gives his audience a good view on how bad the situation really is, in multiple occasions joe uses extended personification, for example “I thought of it as something living, something which lived through crawling into my body”.  He uses human like qualities to explain the tremendous fall he had just endured, This helps the reader have clear picture and understanding of the text although it might not be completely true. The personification joe uses throughout the text can let him exaggerate his struggles through his words,an example of this are these quotes “Twinges of fear lurked round my mind but even these were fading as it crept through me”, “plagued with endless thoughts which turned madeley upon themselves” Joe describes his feelings from human attributes that something is taking over him and he has no ability to stop it. Joe’s thoughts while falling contrast an idea of the emotions personification can lead the reader to understand. Words like “flooded” and “exploded” can manipulate the readers total understanding of the situation he is in, it tells us a narrative response first hand of the pain and suffering endured by Joe and his last minutes as what Simon would of thought it as. 

Joes first person account gives his situation a more personal response, allowing a more detailed description of his physical and mental challenges. The use of Personification in the quote “Fierce burning fire”, coveys more of the drama of his fall than a literal response would. Joe emphasises his thoughts with painful- sounding words, “splitting”, “shattering”, his knee “Ruptured, twisted and crushed”. These descriptions of his physical sensations can put the reader into his shoes at the time of the incident.

MINOR SENTENCING

Joe is left alone with a shattered knee in a crevasse 300 feet from the surface. Alone, and dying. The use of Minor sentencing, also known as incomplete sentencing shows the thoughts flooding Joes mind at the time of the accident. It shows a raw side of joe that the reader has not seen, this creates urgency detailing ultimitially his final breaths. Within this text less is more, giving the reader understanding about the situation of Joe’s aftermath of his fall. This writing technique informs a sense of confusion and mystery around the words in the text. His ongoing mental battle while climbing up the shafts of siula grande communicates an idea of a trouble free climb up to the top according to Joe’s head. Although originally Joe was calm before the climb the reader can see the effects and mental barriers that are stopping Joe from completing the mountain. Not only does Joe use the effects of minor sentencing, Simons thoughts overtake chapter 8 “Stupid, Empty, My God, Why this?”, the use of Simon’s incomplete sentences creates panic, confusion and uncertainty, leaving the reader to question Simons actions and partnership within Joe. ”No one cuts the rope!”, after Simon Yates separates Joe by cutting the only safety rope between them, Simons “paranoia” sets in. The reader is able to paint a picture of Yates uncertainty and doubt on whether he did the right thing. Would you sacrifice your partner if it meant that you had the opportunity to live? 

Minor sentencing may also be an add on for foreshadowing, In the text Joe quotes “Left here? Alone?…” he expresses his worry, will he be left there to die? The reader loses all understanding whether or not he will make it out alive. Minor sentencing conveys an idea of foreshadowing within Joe Simpsons Thoughts.  “Head down, keep looking at your feet, swing, swing, hop, look at your feet…all the way up a smooth 150 feet, no effort, no headache, feeling on top of the world.” This is another example of Joe Simpsons foreshadowing within a Minor sentence. This is where his thoughts are significant towards the combining text of Minor sentencing and foreshadowing. 

The writing techniques used throughout Joe Simpsons “Touching the void” give a personal account of the tragic events on Siula Grande, the narration by Joe includes Foreshadowing, anticipating the final events to come while persuading the reader throughout Joe’s descriptions of safety and warmth. Personification, attributing personal feelings of danger through using human like attributes when describing his fall that left him fighting for his life. And minor sentencing, showing the thoughts flooding through Joe and Simons minds at the time of their descent, all of which fills the reader with emotions and persuasive quotations, me as the reader felt a sense of unknown security as I was unable to picture what events were to come later on within the text. “Touching the Void” is a personal story in which hope and courage are put to the ultimate test.

 

THEME: Is a sense of achievement/ accomplishment worth a life?

Why take such a risk?

INTO THIN AIR:

 

“The culture of ascent was characterized by intense competition and undiluted machismo, but for the most part, its constituents were concerned with impressing only one another.”

• To conquer such a big challenge was not only individual success but the competition of others and surrounding mountaineers.

“Nobody was admired more than the so called free soloists; visionaries who ascended alone, without rope or hardware.”

• The climbers who look for a larger range of success than the general commuters are those who climb without any safety rope, ultimately putting their lives at high risk for the right to be well known in the mountaineering world.

“Previously, Everest had by and large been the province of elite mountaineers.”

• Before Jon Krakauer was born Mt Everest was seen as the most challenging mountain to climb and never before had man reached the summit. In the three years Jon lived to climb, Mt Everest had been conquered over 100 times, now seen as an easier root of mountaineering Jon began to look down his nose on the world’s highest mountain.

“Getting to the top of any given mountain was considered much less important than how one got there: prestige was earned by tackling the most unforgiving routes with minimal equipment, in the boldest style imaginable.”

• Rob Hall’s team both knew that getting to the top of Everest’s summit wont get them the fame and stardom they were looking for. It is the skill of conquering the mountain with a real sense of danger, for example climbing with limited and minimal equipment like ropes and many more newly enhanced gadgets.
• This shows the immense competition between climbers for distinguishment within their community, This can conduct many expeditions to lead there team into tremendous danger and cause casualties that could end in tragedy.

 

“Everest has always been a magnet for kooks, publicity seekers, hopeless romantics and others with a shaky hold on reality.”

• Jon krakauer himself explains the treacherous climb as a magnet for attention seekers and those who search for fame in the climbing world. This may be to get sponsorships in further adventures to come, or for many expeditions it is to get a large recognition in there mountaineering community and become a so called “celebrity”. 

“…I quickly came to understand that climbing Everest was primarily about enduring pain. And in subjecting ourselves to week after week of toil, tedium, and suffering, it struck me that most of us were probably seeking, above else, something like a state of grace.”

• Jon Krakauer had never endured such difficulty while climbing until he came across Everest. He later came to acknowledge the pain that goes through the human body while dealing with the altitude climbing and the share force of nature.

“If you get killed,” she argued with a mix of despair and anger, “it’s not just you who’ll pay the price. I’ll have to pay, too, you know, for the rest of my life. Doesn’t that matter to you?”

• Jon had to face more than the mountain on his expedition to Everest. His personal life took a toll on him when he knew all along the risks and effects this climb may have on his family. If Jon was not to make it down the mountain alive his wife explained the price she will have to pay from him leaving them.
• So why would Jon and many other mountaineer’s leave there well earning jobs and families to potentially not only put there lives at risk but the loved ones around them?

“In climbing, having confidence in your partners is no small concern. One climber’s actions can affect the welfare of the entire team. The consequences of a poorly tied knot, a stumble, a dislodged rock, or some other careless deed are as likely to be felt by the perpetrator’s colleagues as the perpetrator.”

• havting to put all your trust in your climbing partners you first meet at base camp is a huge risk every expeditioner had to take. One wrong step and that climber has put their whole team at jeopardy. Jon throughout the text expresses multiple feelings of worry between his team. More and more new climbers are challenging themselves to complete Everest, which potentially puts everyone else at risk of certain death.

“Unfortunately, the sort of individual who is programmed to ignore personal distress and keep pushing for the top is frequently programmed to disregard signs of grave and imminent danger as well.”

• When in high altitudes and bad weather, rational thinking causes a climber to make dangerous decisions that may lead to serious injury or death. Jon explains that when the body doesn’t get enough oxygen to the brain, you are unable to walk and talk straight, some described the feeling as being drunk. While mountaineering on the edge of Everest’s ice shafts you need all the important wise decisions to get you down the mountain safely.
• Although bad weather ultimately caused the disaster in Rob Hall’s team, the altitude sickness and irrational decision making made it increasingly harder to get down the mountain alive which is later described by Jon.

“Why did veteran Himalayan guides keep moving upward, ushering a gaggle of relatively inexperienced amateurs into an apparent death trap?”

• This is a question that haunts throughout the entirety of “Into thin air”. Was it the mistake of the guides, leading their team through an apparent death trap? Were they too set on reaching the summit at any costs. Was it inexperienced climbers ambition to complete Everest with no real training prior to the event.

 

The acheivments of Ametuer climbers have had a real impact on the mountaineering world for conquering Everest. Many famous and well known expeditions held in experienced climbers to endure on the experience of a lifetime, After becoming one of the first to reach the summit of the highest mountain in the world, Many could say they found inspiration to follow down there road. Sadely in this time thousands of expeditioners have lost their lives while descending down Everest, caused by cases of inexperience of the basic climbing rules and ice picking.

 

Touching the void:

“We were in the middle of Cordillera Huayhuash, in the Peruvian Andes, separated from the nearest village by twenty-eight miles of rough walking”

• Joe and simon know how vulnerable they are before the climb, they know the risks and challenges they are about to endure. In the back of both their minds they know they could both die, So why take such a risk? Is the climb worth both their lives?

“There had been few ascents since then, and the true prize, the daunting 4,500-foot west face had so far defeated all attempts

• A never before climbed ridge 4,500 feet up Siula Grande, Joe and simon risk everything to complete the climb, All for a sense of achievement? Accomplishment?
• Why do they do it? Why do people regularly risk their lives to summit a mountain peak or scale sheer cliffs?

“We can do it… we can do it… i kept repeating like a mantra whenever i felt that hollow hungry gap in my stomach.”

• Joe Simpson was naturally afraid of the the climb and the passing whether to come, but despite his warning signs his ignorant personality kept him enduring for longer and longer, it was only till half way up Siula Grande where Joe started reassuring himself within his head and talked and encouraged his body to keep moving forward.
• This was a very important part within the text as it tells the reader despite Joes past experience with mountaineering, a ridge never before climbed had almost stopped his goal of completing the force of nature.
• So why would Joe push himself through such a mental challenge to complete this climb? He knew the risks he was taking.

“Head down, keep looking at your feet, swing, swing, hop, look at your feet…all the way up a smooth 150 feet, no effort, no headache, feeling on top of the world.”

• This is another example of Joe Simpsons ongoing mental battle while climbing up siula grande. Although originally Joe was calm before the climb the reader can see the effects and mental barriers that are stopping Joe from completing the mountain. Why not turn back now? Why keep struggling with the pain inside and throughout?

“If you succeed with one dream, you come back to square one and it’s not long before your conjuring up another, slightly harder, more ambitious – a bit more dangerous.”

• A dream is only one thing after its become completed. Societies pressures take a toll on every mountaineer/ expeditioner whether its conquering a mountain or an expedition, yet fame will only bring to you if its the highest on earth, never before climbed or even conquered without the essential safety equipment necessary. Human nature

Question 1: describe at least one important technique used in the written text

Techniques:

Symbolism: Mountain, Rope, Voice

Narrative voice/narrative perspective/point of narration.

Joe Simpson and Simon Yates

Figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole

Imagery: The combination of descriptive language and techniques for certain effects.

Conflict: Tension filled moments, Created through word choice and syntax

Syntax: sentence structures, different types have different effects

Climax: turning point, syntax, word choice, dialogue

Dialogue: different speaker traits

 

 

 

 

PART 1:

Imagine your a 12 year old girl living in rural Africa; You love school; love your friends; and enjoy learning new things each and everyday.  But when it comes to secondary school your forced to drop out. Mum can no longer pay for tuition fees; food; transport; uniforms.  A financial burden your living in.  You now have to work to help your siblings. You are young and vulnerable from being out of school. You get married at 14; have a kid and by the age of twenty have 5 more. Did I mention you are 3 times more likely to contract HIV and aids then from your classmates in school.  Your children are likely to become malnourished, picking up deadly diseases.

You have no power.  No say over your life.

Saudi Arabian woman are living in a crisis, The governments large system of gender based laws Punish woman for leaving the house without a male companion. Woman who are seen socializing with a male outside there family is seen as a punishing crime.

But the largest raise of concern right now, is a woman’s right to education.

Countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan are already leading this crisis. Girls living in conflict zones makes it particularly hard for schooling to become an option.  15 million girls primary school age would have never set a foot into a classroom. Families fear that their child will be a boy as they already know how hard a woman’s life can be without the same privileges. In Burkina Faso only 1% of girls complete secondary school. The statistics don’t get any better, In Niger only 17% of all females are literate. This isn’t something to look away from. Girls all around the globe live in fear of speaking out about their own rights, as that is something to look down on. Thousands of women have been silenced, Many by war and death, A severe punishment for speaking out for woman all around the worlds education rights.

But in 2012 one of the biggest events for women’s education focused on how serious this matter actually is.

 

Malala

On October the 9th 2012, a young Malala who was only 15 years of age, boarded her local school bus en route to her house, when a masked Taliban member boarded the bus directing her to give her full name, malala got fatally shot in the head, neck and shoulder. She survived the attack but was immediately flown to England hospital for surgery. This incident caused protests and immediately her cause was taken up around the world. That cause was women’s rights to education. Malala became an advocate to women’s education rights and shortly getting out of hospital the Malala fund was established. This launched over a $10 million education fund towards supporting of girls education around the globe.

She later went on to become an activist for women’s education in England and became a Nobel prize winner.

Malala’s was only 11 years old we she started speaking out for women’s rights. Malala was only one voice out of many; Michelle Obama has become an activist to women’s education throughout the years, Obama launched Let Girls Learn, an initiative to help adolescent girls across the globe have access to schools.  Shakira, A superstar pop artist, is a passionate advocate to her campaign and a member of the global Education commission.  For years there was this glimpse of light for woman speaking out about their rights to school and education. But yet still in some Islamic and middle east countries, women’s schooling is dramatically dropping. On the verge of becoming abolished.

How do we fix this?

Why on such a global scale are woman not getting education?

Why should WE make awareness of this issue?

The fact right now is that 62 million girls worldwide are not in school, and these girls are so bright and intelligent and they are so hungry to learn, but they cant be provided to fulfill their potential in their countries and communities.

PART 2:

What are the factors/barriers holding girls from attending school?

Despite further progress girls face multiple barriers stopping them from attending school. These may include, Age, Ethnicity, Poverty, disabilities and gender. Throughout countries harmful gender stereotypes have been placed to stop women from educating.

These schools should focus on abolishing gender stereotypes and confronting these barriers, but instead women have to face backlash from curriculum, textbooks and teachers. This causes a wide range of effects throughout a girls life, from the course options and subjects they are limited to, which influences their further employment rates.

Another serious factor stopping girls from stepping into the classroom, is child marriage and pregnancies. More than 41,000 girls under age of 18 marry a DAY.  Every year that’s 15 million underage girls getting married. Globally it is estimated that there are 720 million underage women alive today that were married before age 18.  That’s 10% of the worlds population. Child marriage is everywhere but most prevalent in South Asia with 45% of girls married by 18,  And in sub – Saharan Africa 39%.  Girls that marry before the age of 12 have a 21% chance of starting secondary school.

Linked to child marriage is early unintended pregnancies, In common conflict zones this can be a result from rape.  Motherhood at early ages has a serious impact on their own education. Many schools ban teens  from attending school when pregnant. Many of these woman do not re enter education.

 

 

PART 3:

why should we help/ who can help?

An organization called Woman. education. CARE,  specializes in implementing gender-synchronized approaches when it come to schooling. They identify and address the unique barriers that keep girls out of school, While at the same time working with boys and men to help identify and discuss these such barriers.  These projects are extremely important to build equitable environments through which all female students can learn to thrive and grow.

Another organization is the Cam Fed campaign. They target young Woman particularly in African regions that are in need of serious funding. One of the inspirational stories to come out of this was young Salin from Zambia. Salin was orphaned after her parents both died from a year within each other, she had no education from primary school and was living in a small modest house with her other siblings and cousins, all together there were 11 underage people living in her home. She struggled to attend school as she was not able to pay the tuition fees and look after her siblings. Cam-fed campaign picked up on this immediately and got Salin and her 11 family members to a local high school, all funded by this organization. With there help thousands of young striving woman were able to reach their potential.

Imagine all of you in this class contributing to that. Well guess what, you can! $20 per month can send a girl to school for a year.  Your gift to a campaign can provide uniforms, school supplies and exam fees, simple things that can keep a girl out of school because the cost is too big for her family.

For 18 years me and my mum have sponsored girls in Uganda.  Nora was 11 years of age when we started sponsoring her, she is now in her twenties and has been through full education. She was not married young, she didn’t contract any diseases, she was able to pursue her life and start a healthy family in her community. All this for just $35 a month. My mum had always said to me, the day that we cant afford to to spend $35 is the day we give up Sky TV, then after that it will be Netflix. Why are WE all are living a very fortunate life full of opportunities and freedom.

“one child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world”

 

Thank you :))

 

 

 

Both Joe and Simon are facing a potentially deadly execution off this mountain, as they are descending down they face many problems that threaten both the men’s lives. As Simon is lowering Joe through the snow screams of agony is coming from Joe in dispare. His shattered knee joint causes a rough trip down for both the men. Simon’s only perspective and focus is to get Joe down as quickly as possible before dark this induces a painful descend for Joe. When Joe quotes “I sobbed and gasped, swore at the snow and cold, and most of all at Simon.” This shows how the relationship between them both is on a verge and frustration is kicking in. Another problem that was occurring for both of the men was the first signs of frost bite on their fingers particular. Joe quotes the text “I could adjust to the steady pain. My hands, however, were much worse” Even tho this is a very subtle thing at the start it potentially leads to a dangerous problem if there not down the mountain fast. This comes into play when Joe struggles to move his fingers while dangling off the cliff this ultimately leads to Simon cutting the rope as Joe could not manage to climb up the edge.

Joe recreated the tension felt when being lowered by Simon off the cliff with many examples of syntax sentences, this creates an intensity throughout the text.  The short sharp sentences consisting of simple and minor sentencing, for example when Joe had his accident he quotes his feelings towards his leg “I’m Hurt.  I’m damaged.  Rest me, leave me be!” Joe uses this as its very important for the situation he is in, the problems both the men face descending down this mountain show in there language features and sentence structure. Another example for structures Joe uses many short sharp curse words when dangling on for his life “YOU S*** YOU F****** BASTARD” This connects the reader into their experiences with a feeling of a power of extremity causing a  hook by end of the text. Another language feature Joe recreates is the use of emotive language, this is a very powerful technique to use when dealing with tough situations, in this case the language has been modified into a negative state of tension. Examples of the language used in the text consist of: Bitterly, Weak, Limbless, Disembodied, Jesus, Vainly, and many more.

Simon’s narration throughout this event is very important for detailing the feelings and account of which both the men were struggling through. A significant detail in Simon’s narration that leads to him cutting the rope came from many thoughts and feeling right at the start of Joe’s fall. Simon recounted that “He wouldn’t mind if Joe fell off the mountain” This continues to foreshadow Simon throughout there whole experience. This was a very important thing to include in the text because this explains small but significant details that then lead him to cutting Joe’s rope which was thought of to kill him. Another detail from his account was when Joe had fallen off the cliff which left him dangling for around about an hour. All the weight was on Simon in this scene, this became a very dangerous and important decision he makes. After time of thinking Simon was gradually getting pulled to the edge of the mountain, in a quick 5 minutes Simon had cut the rope that was being kept connected by both the men. Simon says in this narration ” I was still alive because I had held everything together right up to the last moment” This is just one of the leading thoughts going through his head at the time.  Simon’s perspective was very important to include in this section as he unwillingly makes the biggest decision of his life and Joes.

When Joe shattered his knee joint descending down Suila Grande this was one of the most intense and important scenes in the text. The language features and techniques used helps the reader understand the scenario and experience both the men are going through. The Syntax used in the text is a lot of short sharp sentences for example “Oh my leg, Jesus, Oh my leg” this effect used gives the reader a sense of danger and in-tenseness that Joe is going through.  This style draws the reader into this section of there descent and whats going through their mind at this moment in time.

A lot of foreshadowing has been present at the start of the text by Joe Simpson. At the start of the text both men’s climb up Suila Grande has been too good to be true, they climbed up with barely no mishaps. This effected the readers knowledge and understanding of how well both the men’s journey has been so far, This gives off a false sense of courage for the reader, ultimately anticipating the accident that happens in the future days to come.

In chapter 5 emotive language is a key language technique used to describe Joe’s fall. This impacted an emotional response describing a terrible slip up not planned for the steady descent down. The whole text is changed in a second, with Joe and Simon’s lives at risk the mood has been completely turned around. For example in the sentence “I screamed again as I jerked to a sudden violent stop”

The purpose of including Simons narrative in the text when Joe shatters his knee is very important to get a thorough perspective on the situation both the men are in. When Simon explains how he wishes Joe would fall of the mountain, this is a very powerful time as simon has so many thoughts running through his head he dosnt give off any sense of guilt or sorrow.

There are many examples of technical jargon throughout this book, this non fiction story uses many specialized vocabulary to explain the scenario the mountaineers are enduring at the time. This technical jargon dose not get explained throughout this book because they target people with the story and experience of mountain talk and this jargon usually talked about. Another reason they don’t explain this in the text is that the writer doesn’t want to distract the reader from the scenario thieve set in the book.

One of the technical jargon’s used in the text is “Ice Screws” This is explained in an important text in the book where Joe and Simon are conquering a steep ice shaft when Joe runs out of the screws causing a panic and dangerous situation he was in to later on continue without the simple safety ropes. These “ice screws” are a tubular screw used as a running belay or anchor when climbing ice or steep waterfalls. These hold the climber in the event of a fall, so they are very important necessity while climbing.

The term “Frost bitten” is used in the text as the result of the climbers cold body heat. Frostbite is an injury caused by the freezing of the skin. It is most common in the fingers, toes,nose ad ears. when these are exposed to th cold wind they are vulnerable to frost bite.

The Term “belayed” is a Rope used to hold and secure the person climbing up or down a rock.

When Joe and Simon are climbing the vertical ice shaft’s, there relationship between them becomes very important to the situation there in.  They are very assertive to one another especially communicating when something went wrong. For example when Joe ran out of ice screws, he had to yell to Simon but there was no reply, Joe might of been feeling a bit of frustration and nerves as he was stuck waiting for Simon,  from now this made him feel like he was on his own soloing it. Joe and Simon are both very Inter-dependent on each other as they are both looking out for one an other.  In the book Joe was in a situation where massive boulders of rocks where falling down in the path of them both, Joe then warned Simon about the danger, letting him have enough time to doge them and saving himself from potential death. There bond between each other is very important to reaching there goal of the summit, if they want to avoid any danger they will have to work together through communication and there drive for climbing and adventure. A problem they both might face for bonding is the capability to work with Richard as he has such a strong personal they might clash with decisions.

The environment the mountaineers were both in was a very dangerous and tough climb to endure, as they were scaling up thousands of feet of ice they both had to be very cautious of one an other and not slack off at any time. Both of the men were in tough situations during the time this required them to make some rational decisions that could effect their lives if they did it wrong. The challenges presented to them both will only get more challenging as they scale up the 21000 foot mountain, Siula Grande, with no chances of turning back they will have to endure the cold weather and deadly defiance’s.

The reader learns about joe’s past experiences climbing a mountain with Ian and how they both got into trouble causing them to be helicoptered out. i think this was a very important text in the book as it states how joes decisions effected their outcome and how he has had a dangerous past experienced, causing him to maybe be more cautious while climbing the mountain with Simon. The language features used in the text are foreshadowing Joe and Simon’s climb as they scale up this mountain, as Joe has had bad past experiences in climbing this tells us that he is more aware of his surroundings and potentially a useful source in emergencies that might occur for them both. This feature effects the readers understanding and keeps guessing whats coming next for them and purposefully setting a good environment to catch the reader off guard.