Summary

Genre: Autobiography and also filmed. Many students are familiar with the film. There is a mixture of detailed description of the event and less controlled emotional response. It all becomes more subjective once the accident has happened.

Voice: 1st person authoritative narrative, at first objective – calm and technical – and becoming more objective as the events take place, introduced by the brilliant metaphor  ‘time dilates’ allowing for detailed responses to each step of the accident. Present tense narrative.

Purpose: To accurately present the facts of an accident and also the emotions being felt as the accident took place. There is no sense of reflection about whether the accident was avoidable or whether one should be treating the wilderness in this manner.

Structure:

1: Introduces the setting clearly, using homely figurative language to ensure the readers can relate to the landscape.

2: Technical explanation of the locale and the difficulties being faced.

3: Action is introduced ‘stemming across…’ and the events begin to unfold. As the accident occurs, the verbs grow in power and violence. a long sentence introduces all the many events which can be seen clearly as ‘time dilates’. Asyndetic listing adds to the continuity of the action.

4: The aftermath and the awakening of ‘anxiety’. Much use of figurative language to convey the sense of pain and shock.  Final sentence ‘Nothing’ conveys the hopelessness of his situation.