THE ROCK WALL

THE ROCK WALL

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Link:: https://www.ted.com/talks/alex_honnold_how_i_climbed_a_3_000_foot_vertical_cliff_without_ropes/up-next

Summary

The argument being made in the TED Talk titled, “How I climbed a 3,000 vertical cliff- without ropes” by Alex Honnold is that with the right mindset and preparation your largest aspirations are able to become reality.  Throughout the course of the TED Talk he analyzed how he led up to the treacherous climb, the actions he took and what he did to mentally prepare himself. Perhaps the most important aspect of the TED Talk was when he explained what it felt like to finally reach the top of the mountain- a 3,000 foot vertical cliff I might add.  He described what it felt like to finally have achieved “mastery” in his free soloing climbing journey. The next most important aspect was his description of what preparations he took leading up to the climb- his repetition of the climb, stretching so he could make a specific move during the climb, removing loose rocks from the side of the cliff, etc.  Finally he analyzed his first free solo climb up Half Dome and probably the least significant part of the TED Talk, he briefly described how he got into climbing when he was 10 years old.

The Story Telling Techniques

Throughout Alex Honnold’s presentation of perhaps the largest accomplishment of his life, he utilized many techniques to convey his point.  First, he established the credibility of his story and his rock climbing ability by starting out with a breakdown of how he became a rock climber and furthering his credibility with a story of the first time he summited a cliff...without ropes.  Not only did he already climb a cliff without ropes once, he decided to do it again, but this time on an even larger cliff, around 3,000 ft if we’re being exact.

Alex Honnold then utilizes logos by breaking down what exactly he had to do to ensure he wouldn’t plummet to his death off the side of the cliff.  He describes the process of climbing the cliff over and over with ropes on and making sure he memorized every single move that he would have to make on the cliff to be able to reach the top.  

But perhaps the most signficant technique utilized was Honnold’s use of pathos.  IN order to get his point across that it is possible to accomplish dreams he had to emphasize what it felt like to accomplish his dream.  He was able to achieve true mastery and he spent a great deal of time explaining what this mastery felt like. He worked incredibly hard and emphasized his work by explaining the emotions invoked by each step of the process.  He was able to summit the, “most crown jewels of climbing” and introduced the audience to his feat by showing them footage of “the 30 best seconds of his life”.

Personal Connection

Ok but first of all, WHAT THE *bleep*!  I remember being in 3rd grade and being dared to climb the rock wall at the YMCA and lemme just tell you...I almost peed myself.  But, I’m not that much of a coward and so I ended up climbing the small little rock wall by the racquetball courts (but also because someone told me that they had prizes and cool stuff at the top of the wall...well they lied).  One thing however, that I do remember besides the trembling fear as my hands gripped each synthetic “rock” bolted on the wall, was the feeling of great relief and triumph as I was then slowly propelled to the squishy mat at the bottom of the wall.  

And let me just say, I did all of this while being held by a counselor at the base of the wall that was holding a rope that looped through a harness around my body.  This man climbed a 3,000 foot vertical cliff, with NO ROPES. NOBODY WATCHING HIM. I can only imagine the relief, joy, pain, exhaustion, and pure glory that this man felt when he reached the summit ALIVE.  And this in itself is why his TED Talk on his experience was so convincing and powerful. Even if I didn’t know what it felt like to climb a rock wall and how difficult that in itself was, I could still relate to the pain and exhaustion and pure joy he must have felt at his accomplishment.

I love personal victory stories because I love when people are successful in reaching their dreams.  I also feel like a part of me shares in their joy, even if I wasn’t directly involved in what happened.  The world is full of amazing people and I love hearing when people are able to do something that they have worked so hard to achieve.  

Jekyll and HIDE

From what I have gathered thus far in my reading of the novella, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, both men have extremely convoluted and concealed lives that yield little inclination to their true intentions and thoughts.  The characterization that I have read regarding the two men thus far reminds me of the characterization of “Boo” Radley in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.  Both Mr. Hyde and Boo Radley are described as creepy men that yield a sense of unease about them that is difficult to place.  

In an excerpt regarding Mr. Hyde’s character that says, “‘He is not easy to describe.  There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable…’” (Stevenson 11).  In this excerpt regarding Mr. Hyde’s characterization there is a sort of mysterious tone presented. Mr. Enfield is trying to describe this man but realizes that he cannot put a finger on why he seems so odd or what exactly is wrong with him.  So, in order to try and develop a picture in Mr. Utterson’s mind about who exactly this Mr. Hyde is, he begins to try and list attributes of the man. However, the list of attributes only serve to further confuse Mr. Utterson because they are vague and provide little indication as to what exactly is wrong with the man.  This results in Mr. Utterson further questioning the actions of Mr. Hyde to try and gain a sense of what he is like based not only on his appearance but also through his actions.

However, in contrast, in chapter 3 when the author characterizes Dr. Jekyll he writes, “To this rule, Dr. Jekyll was no exception; and as he now sat on the opposite side of the fire- a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a slyish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness- you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection.” (Stevenson 21).  Here it is obvious that there is a difference in the characterization between Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll, Dr. Jekyll is portrayed in a more positive light with comments on his appearance portraying kindness as well as through his actions with him extending a warm greeting to Mr. Utterson. There is also clear juxtaposition in the character’s reactions regarding the men. When hearing of Mr. Hyde and his actions and something about his unplaceable nature, Mr. Utterson was uncomfortable.  He even mentioned not being able to get a sound good night sleep. However in contrast, Mr. Utterson has no issues with Dr. Jekyll, he only wonders why he has produced such a strange will that directly relates to Mr. Hyde.

Poem:

Jekyll Inner Thoughts: Jekyll External Appearance:

He knows. Something is going to get out Hello! How can you be so sure? I fear for the secret that was so tightly kept. He must understand absolutely nothing.   It is the only protection Ignorance is bliss and therefore not knowing anything is happiness.    Hyde you must not be found Do not let them know the secret.   It is imperative that you stay hidden. Forever perhaps.   Rest assured.   My mind will not be at peace.

He knows absolutely nothing. Smile. Greet. Repeat.   Hello! How are you Mr. Utterson?   The matters of my will will not be revised I apologize.   There is much for you to understand.   Hyde will not further any conflicts or issues, this I can assure you. He is being taken care of, Somewhere far far away.   Rest assured.   My mind is at peace and I understand the consequences of his actions. I will have it taken care of.   Thank you.

The purpose of this poem is to help examine the dichotomy of appearance vs. reality through the development of the character Dr. Jekyll.  In the left hand column is a poem exemplifying his inner thoughts and fears while the poem in the right column portrays the attitude and personality that he exhibits around other people- such as the lawyer Mr. Utterson.  The intended effect is that the audience will understand that humans are convoluted in nature and have personalities that they exhibit and others that they keep to themselves. Dr. Jekyll however, is just better at portraying attitudes and personality traits that would be accepted by people whereas Mr. Hyde invokes a feeling of unease by the character traits he exhibits.