127 Hours Essay
Irony thrusts its way into Aron Ralston’s powerful memoir, Between a Rock and a Hard Place. The idiomatic expression, “stuck between a rock and a hard place” is often utilized by those faced with two unpleasant choices. The title of his book is where irony first takes stage. If not for the rock, Ralston’s right arm would still be in place and his appreciation for life would remain unchanged. Surprisingly, Ralston has no bitter resentment toward the canyon where he spent 127 hours trapped between a wedged boulder and a canyon wall. Instead, he was eternally grateful for this circumstance even though it so nearly ended his life. It is no wonder why his story inspired people all over the world—especially those who share his infatuation with the outdoors. Ralston’s experience trapped in Blue John Canyon opened his eyes to a spiritual avenue that gave him the strength to walk out of his grave.
With minimal food and water and the terrifying knowledge that he told no one where he was going, Hell was soon to strike. Despite Ralston’s attempt to remain calm and optimistic, the splintering cold accompanied by severe sleep deprivation caused him to face reality and accept what he had to do. After multiple trials and errors to release his arm from entrapment, he came to the wild decision that ultimately saved his life, both literally and spiritually. He began to reflect on everything he would lose if he chose to walk through life’s exit; from there his faith only grew stronger. Ralston was not ready to give up, nor was he willing to bid farewell to his loved ones. With the remaining energy he had, he clung to hope, all the while his brain operated at full throttle and led him to salvation. Perhaps it was this ideal that got him through the journey, "When we find inspiration, we need to take action for ourselves and for our communities. Even if it means making a hard choice, or cutting out something and leaving it in your past.” (342).
Greeted by a small young boy
With minimal food and water and the terrifying knowledge that he told no one where he was going, Hell was soon to strike. Despite Ralston’s attempt to remain calm and optimistic, the splintering cold accompanied by severe sleep deprivation caused him to face reality and accept what he had to do. After multiple trials and errors to release his arm from entrapment, he came to the wild decision that ultimately saved his life, both literally and spiritually. He began to reflect on everything he would lose if he chose to walk through life’s exit; from there his faith only grew stronger. Ralston was not ready to give up, nor was he willing to bid farewell to his loved ones. With the remaining energy he had, he clung to hope, all the while his brain operated at full throttle and led him to salvation. Perhaps it was this ideal that got him through the journey, "When we find inspiration, we need to take action for ourselves and for our communities. Even if it means making a hard choice, or cutting out something and leaving it in your past.” (342).
Greeted by a small young boy