One of the quotations from Touching the void is when Simon was saying, “The dreadful suspicion that I had nursed through the night was confirmed, Joe was dead.” He always make an assumption/fatalism on when something bad will happen eventually. It also shows us his feelings about how he felt when he thought that Joe died and is thinking what should he do in this situation, should he go back and see if Joe is actually dead or not, or should he carry on his journey to the top of the mountain to complete his target, accomplishment, dream?
March 5, 2013 at 4:47 pm
This is clear and reasonable reflection on what Simon may have been thinking or feeling at the time.
The bit missing from the task is where you investigate your quote for any language effects that might help deepen its meaning.
In this case the quote contains a metaphor “suspicion that I had nursed all night” – the idea of nursing a suspicion means that he tended to it, helped to to grow stronger – that helps to show that the suspicion was growing and that he had been fuelling it with his own thoughts.
If you can include this analysis of language in your paragraphs along with your clear understanding of the ideas – you are going to do brilliantly!
Mr Waugh