Despite the fact that both narratives follow the attempts of climbers to scale an imposing mountain, “The Devils Thumb” and Touch the Top of the World handle the subject matter in different ways. While both stories focus on the climb itself, they also address the underlying themes and lessons these climbs bring with them. As such, the two narratives take on extremely different viewpoints; one focuses on innocence and the limits of dreams, while the other focuses its attention on the author’s struggle and the eventual surpassing of their preconceived limits. “The Devils Thumb” focuses on the author, Jon Krakauer, and his epiphany regarding the fact that accomplishing one’s dreams can only do so much, whereas Touch the Top of the World is meant
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Krakauer’s short story takes on a somewhat negative mood, as his younger self has a somewhat cynical and rebellious mindset, whereas his reflection on the events that transpired shows that he is somewhat glad that they did, as he felt that he had gained valuable knowledge regarding dreams and their limits. This somewhat negative tone is contrasted by the motivational, positive tone that accompanies Touch the Top of the World. Due to its purpose as a motivational work, Weihenmayer’s book takes on a much more motivational tone than “The Devils Thumb.” This could also be attributed to the fact that while Krakauer does not quite succeed in his goal, Weihenmayer successfully manages to climb Mt. Everest, thus giving him a more positive outlook on the entire …show more content…
In “The Devils Thumb,” Krakauer reflects on the attempt by his twenty three year-old self to scale the previously unclimbed northwest face of the Devils Thumb, which he states taught him about the limits of dreams and what they can and cannot accomplish. Krakauer’s conclusion, which he states helped him mature and move away from the innocence of childhood, is intended to help others move away from this mindset as well, partially in order to prevent them from engaging in reckless and dangerous activities, such as Krakauer’s climb. Unlike “The Devils Thumb,” the aim of Touch the Top of the World is to motivate and encourage its readers, rather than to point out immature beliefs held by the young. By using the fact that he managed to climb Mt. Everest despite his blindness, Erik Weihenmayer inspires and motivates others to reassess their own boundaries and
Krakauer’s short story takes on a somewhat negative mood, as his younger self has a somewhat cynical and rebellious mindset, whereas his reflection on the events that transpired shows that he is somewhat glad that they did, as he felt that he had gained valuable knowledge regarding dreams and their limits. This somewhat negative tone is contrasted by the motivational, positive tone that accompanies Touch the Top of the World. Due to its purpose as a motivational work, Weihenmayer’s book takes on a much more motivational tone than “The Devils Thumb.” This could also be attributed to the fact that while Krakauer does not quite succeed in his goal, Weihenmayer successfully manages to climb Mt. Everest, thus giving him a more positive outlook on the entire …show more content…
In “The Devils Thumb,” Krakauer reflects on the attempt by his twenty three year-old self to scale the previously unclimbed northwest face of the Devils Thumb, which he states taught him about the limits of dreams and what they can and cannot accomplish. Krakauer’s conclusion, which he states helped him mature and move away from the innocence of childhood, is intended to help others move away from this mindset as well, partially in order to prevent them from engaging in reckless and dangerous activities, such as Krakauer’s climb. Unlike “The Devils Thumb,” the aim of Touch the Top of the World is to motivate and encourage its readers, rather than to point out immature beliefs held by the young. By using the fact that he managed to climb Mt. Everest despite his blindness, Erik Weihenmayer inspires and motivates others to reassess their own boundaries and