At the beginning of the story, Jeff shows that he is reluctant and in a way scared towards making the hiking trip with his father across the canyon in order to reach town. "I never wanted to come on this stupid old hiking trip anyway!" His voice echoed, shrill and panicked, across the narrow canyon. Jeff reveals that although it is to reach the town he will not change his mind about how much he does not want to make the effort to go across the canyon. He states that he is scared and does not want to have courage when his father explains to him as he gets tired that he needs to be brave and go across with a level head. Although this might have changed Jeff's mind, he still did not want to go and this showed that his childhood behavior played part in the story as well.
After his father's weariness and loss of breath, he convinces Jeff to cross the canyon because he tell him that his brother needs medical attention in order to save his life. This makes Jeff come into realization that he needs to be brave and soon becomes motivated in crossing the canyon. As soon as helt that motivation towards his brother, "Stone by stone, they made their way up the canyon. Jeff's father grew smaller and smaller in the distance." This is a great example in the showing of how motivated he was not from the beginning of the story. Jeff felt that by saving his brother's life was a great way to push him and accomplish what they were reaching for.
Towards the end of the story, Jeff manages to reach the town without his father and has grown proud of himself. Although he was short of breath and it had become hard for him to breathe, he was happy he was able to accomplish what they had come for. Jeff's father's praise helped Jeff realize that he had done a great deed in helping him out. "You're a hero, son," his father said with a smile. "You saved Mark." This was a great way to show that Jeff had done the right thing in saving his brother's life. Another great example of the motivations was that he was repeating to himself the words of - "Can't stop," he thought. "Mark's in big trouble. Gotta keep going." This was a great help in what Jeff was trying to do.
Overall, Jeff is a strong-minded, courageous boy. Although, he was reluctant at first to go across the canyone, the situation in which his brother was in motivated him to set aside his complaints and do whatever it took to get help for his brother. Jeff was brave to risk his safety and personal health by overcoming his obstacles and pushing through the problems he felt of himself as he was getting closer to the town. The author reveals Jeff as a strong, brave, caring young boy.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Jon Krakauer went to the Teklanika River a year and a week after Chris McCandless decided that he was not going to risk crossing the dangerous path. He was there because he wanted to know more about Chris and how he had died in the bus. While the water in the river was not as violent as the day Chris was there, it still was treacherous and dangerous to cross. However, Jon had brought along a map and three friends: Roman Dial, Dan Solie, and Andrew Liske. They walked to a gauging station farther down the river and saw that the basket that hung off a cable was on the other side of the river. Had Chris not gotten rid of his own map long ago, he could have found the basket and crossed the river easily. Jon manages to get across the river by securing rock-climbing gear to the cable, pulling himself over, then ferrying the basket back to collect his companions. Ten miles farther, they come across a melted cluster of messy beaver ponds. The path they were traveling was covered with shrubbery and other plants. While Jon originally was annoyed by his companions inviting themselves along on his trip, now he was…
- 1300 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
Often times, we endure problems within ourselves that can either be solved or left alone to embrace. Whether it is mental or physical, many of us find it natural to undergo inner-conflict. In the two passages, “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” and “Quicksand,” the authors provide the audience with a theme that connects them both. After uncovering their internal conflict, they eventually decided to unknowingly distract themselves from the issue. This includes the way the authors utilized the setting and characters to convey their theme. When dealing with inner-conflict, the theme is developed by expressing personal past issues, discovering new people, and ultimately uncovering a sudden romance.…
- 827 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In the novel "Go Tell I on the Mountain" by James Baldwin the main character; John; encounters three obstacles: (1) His father Gabriel; trying to make John as he is, (2) John's journey for education; trying to get out of the ghetto towards a better life, and (3) the favoritism shown towards his brother Roy, no matter how much he acts up, and struggling with no support. The theme of "Go Tell It on The Mountain" is if you reach a crossroads in your life; follow your heart in the right path.…
- 577 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Jon Krakauer interrupted his documentation of Chris McCandless’s life with a story from his own past because he understood Chris’s reasons to go into the wild because of their common personality traits. In their obsessions to go out and prove themselves, to survive extreme conditions and to live through the life-or-death situations they encounter for the reward of a rush of adrenaline, both the author and his subject show themselves to be extremely independent, impulsive, and ambitious. In the author's words, they had "a similar intensity, a similar heedlessness, a similar agitation of the soul" (155). One of the reasons for both men's aptitude to follow through with their spontaneous plans seems to be that each one is bent on proving something – either to themselves or to those around them. At one point, Krakauer mentions that "the thought of returning to Boulder in defeat wasn't very appealing" (146), a thought which seems to be one of his main motivators in the climb up Devil's Thumb. In a similar fashion, McCandless often refused help from people he met on the road, hoping to…
- 1055 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
First, one of the qualities that helps Jerry achieve his goal is his persistence. Persistence helped Jerry to carry on throughout the story whenever his was weak or couldn’t withstand the stress. When his nose bled badly, and felt weak and dizzy because of his over practice, he just kept going regardless of his physical problems. It’s his act of denying stopping and refusing to be defeated by the setbacks he met that made him continue. Moreover, at the end of his vacation, he indeed thought of giving up and coming back to accomplish his goal next year. But again, his determination made him hold his last chance; he knew he would have to do it even if it killed him. If it weren’t for his persistence, he would not have conquered all the obstacles and challenges he met.…
- 464 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
On the drive to Fairbanks, Chris tells the driver, Stuckey, everything about his family. He tells Stuckey about his dad’s actions, how he feels about the situation, and everything he loves about his little sister. Prior to this moment, Chris had not uttered a word about his family history to any person he came into contact with. This is an indicator that McCandless is becoming less hostile. Once Chris treked on to the Stampede Trail, he had begun his path to self-discovery. The only path Chris could have taken to resolve all of his demons would be one that’s uninterrupted by the trivial matters of a life at home. For some people, the only way to have gratitude for the things you are given is to experience a life without it. A person doesn’t realize what they have until they learn to do without. For Chris McCandless, it took two years to realize how many things he had, how many people loved and cared about him. Nonetheless, he still had the realization.…
- 455 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
From the beginning he knew that the journey would be dangerous, he took the risk and went on it anyways. He also didn't take the journey the easy way, instead he decided to make it hard on himself and didn't want help from people around him. The first…
- 512 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
And for Chris it was by going back to nature where your status is not important. You will not be judged when you are in the wild. This trip changes Chris's perspective on life.“The trip was to be an odyssey in the fullest sense of the word, an epic journey that would change everything.” (Jon) Jon continues to justify Chris’s actions by blaming society for their values and their impact. This shows us the the purpose of Jon writing this was not only to shed light on Chris life but to urge change with the way our society affects people, with their materialistic, controlling, and demanding ways. He also uses this example as a way to show the reader that maybe they should consider taking a break from life as well. When reading the story the reader starts to question their existence as well as examining a part of our own sense of…
- 1277 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
James Baldwin’s, “Sonny’s Blues,” illustrates the story between two different brothers as they struggle to discover the character of one another. “Sonny’s Blues” is narrated through the older brother’s point of view, as he portrays their difficulties in growing up, separation, and reunion. Baldwin purposely picks to tell the story in the first person point of view because of the omniscient and realistic effects it contribute to the story overall. The mother, father, and Sonny all express their accounts to the older brother, making him the perfect character to tell the story. In addition, the first person point of view allows the reader to experience the vicarious feelings that the brother has to face. Furthermore, the point of view is selective omniscient, which gives the brother information on the present, past, and future permitting the reader to more easily understands the plot. Through the multiple accounts told to the brother, his first person point of view, and selective omniscient, James Baldwin demonstrates how point of view can give the reader a more define and clearer understanding of the story’s overall meaning.…
- 968 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
But although Bryson cannot be considered as an “expert”, through his use of humor and relatable character, Bryson does succeed in establishing himself as an experienced hiker.…
- 753 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
I sat there in disbelief, I couldn’t believe my new teacher was forcing me hike a trail and then write a essay about it. But I had to, so I decided to hike the Indian Hill trail, besides I had heard positive reviews about this trail by my friends. The leaves were just turning hues of gold and yellow, I stepped out of the car and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t freezing cold My mom yelled after me, ‘’Be safe.’’ I ignored her. So I started to hike up the trail it was nice, I usually hiked in the Adirondacks so this was a pleasant change. Hardwoods are different than hiking in the pine forest of the mountains, for one thing on this trail there was only a slight incline where as in the mountains the trails…
- 486 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Many people dream of climbing the famous mountains located in many countries around the world. Writer Jon Krakauer has been dreaming of climbing Mount Everest. Although climbing mountains may seem fun, Jon Krakauer explains his tragic story on Mount Everest in his book, Into Thin Air. Throughout his journey up the mountain, he experienced danger, trust, loyalty, and respect. Krakauer had to learn to trust others because he could die if something wrong happened during the climb. Trust and respect are the most important themes in this dangerous trip because both are essential to survive.…
- 407 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
When I was 14 my stake High Adventure group went on a 50 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail which was one of the most physically and emotionally challenging experiences I have ever had. For six days, I had to carry my pack containing about 40 pounds in supplies. It rained all six days of the trip.…
- 247 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, is a footpath in the eastern United States for outdoor enthusiasts, extending about about 2140 miles from Maine to Georgia, along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains. The trail passes through 14 states and is maintained by 34 different trail maintenance organizations. It is the longest marked, continuous footpath in the world, at some points reaching elevations of more than 6000 feet. Wooden signposts and white paint marks on rocks and trees are placed along the trail. Construction of the Appalachian Trail was begun in 1922 near Bear Mountain, New York.…
- 1057 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Clay faced a more dangerous situation and more difficulties. First, Clay was very young who was only 17 years old and became a young prospector who traveled to a hostile environment.” The Yukon Territory is located in the northwestern corner of Canada. It is part the subarctic zone, where temperatures have been known to plunge to -80F!”(p315). It is really hard for people to survive in such terrible environment, especially for a 17-year-old teenager. Most of teenager at that age are sitting in a warm classroom and receiving good education. But Clay as a young prospector worked in such terrible place. So he must have great courage and is really very brave. Second, during his trip, he could die every second if he lost his caution. “A slip at that point meant a plunge over the edge and a twenty-foot fall to the ice. A hundred feet farther along, and a slip would mean a fifty-foot fall.”(p316). It was really dangerous and difficult for people who wanted to survive. For Clay, a young prospector didn’t have so much experience. So he would not expect such a difficult but he keeps being calm it must be his bravery and great courage to support him solve all these difficult problems.…
- 573 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays