Figurative:
‘I lifted a heavy weight with me, and almost solid feeling of dread that crept through me’. This personification is an example where Joe Simpson has turned fear into a being that haunts the climbers. This despair is refereed to throughout the text with foreshadowing, personification of their surroundings and this fear/dread. Joe and Simon’s unfamiliar companion develops through the book. The ‘unseen’ character is a symbolism for the danger on the mountain. Beginning as premonition the phrase ‘I had sensed something would happen without understanding quite what it would be’ Joe tells us his feeling that he knew something was going to happen. This anxious feeling is effectively foreshadowing or the similar feeling or ‘sixth sense’ that somebody is watching your every move. When Simon is alone trying to get off the mountain he describes the mountains as ‘holding their breath’. The mountains watching personifies them and strengthens the fact that even though someone is watching they make no effort to help him- he is asking in his struggles. The heavy feeling of dread changes the personification to the feeling of fear that is said to ‘creep’ through Simon. This metaphor can be said to show how Simon could have gone crazy from being left alone and helpless. The ‘heaviness’ shows the weight of despair pushing down on him.
Literal:
‘[Watched] the leading Japanese climber fall outwards and backwards arms outstretched in surprise.’ Joe Simpson uses phrases such as this to describe the reality of how the Japanese climbers fell off the mountain. Rather than use elaborate linguistic devices the description is to the point. Simple words like ‘fall’ capture this reality. His arms are ‘outstretched’, as he is caught off guard. This represents danger as abrupt and very real.
May 21, 2016 at 9:51 pm
This is so good, Barnaby. Your exploration of the personification of the mountain and how it develops over time is the best I’ve seen. I couldn’t be more pleased.
When looking at literal features, you were right to link the lack of figurative elements to the direct, unemotional factual nature of what is described. I’d take that further and explore how it suggests he’s keeping an emotional distance from the memory so it doesn’t overwhelm him.
Also, those arms outstretched evokes in me an image like a child – reaching out for rescue. You’re right though, it is also about the unexpectedness of what happens. It’s real, but the arms out is a totally unrealistic gesture, it’s not going to help, which suggests futility.
What a thrill to see you write this 48 hours before an exam. Joe Simpson would be pleased too!
CW