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SATURDAY CLIMBING

BY W. D. VALGARDSONZoé Jeaurond, Emelie Lauzon and Vanessa Burke

Learning GoalsStudents will be able to identify the topic, theme and context in this short story.

Social issues in the text and their effects will be known and understood.

Students will see how media affects parents view on their children.

Short Story Questions + Answers

• Vanessa: (2) When does Barry realize he is not as aware of what his daughter is constantly up to? Explain.

• During this short story, Barry comes to the conclusion that his daughter Moira may be under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. As Barry analyzes Moira, "over the previous months, she had come home late a number of times. The sweet sour smell of marijuana clung to her, and her pupils seemed unnaturally large. He had not dare accuse her of smoking dope" (Valgardson 54) he avoids the confrontation of wrong accusations. Barry realizes that he is unaware of what his 16 year old daughter is up to late at night, which leads to him fearing for her safety. Moira may not be under the influence of marijuana, but Barry would never know that unless they spoke about it. Therefore, Barry remains unaware of what Moira does at social gatherings.

Short Story Questions + Answers

• Vanessa: (1) Why is trust such an important factor throughout Barry's and Moira's father daughter relationship? Explain.

• Throughout the ups and downs of any father daughter relationship, trust is a key element that allows any daughter to feel free and mature. Without trust, as examined throughout the story, Barry finds himself lost and "utterly hopeless" (Valgardson 54), when he is not even sure whether Moira does drugs. As a result, because of the lack of trust Barry is discouraged to talk to his daughter Moira more openly about drug and alcohol use. Also, trust is the most important factor in any relationship because it lets the person feel comfortable and more open minded towards other topics. If there's constantly a lack of trust how will anyone feel understanding to that person's opinion.

Short Story Questions + Answers

• Zoé: (1) How does Barry’s point of view effect the story? In your opinion, would the story change if it was in Moira’s point of view?

In Saturday Climbing, the story is in the father’s point of view which highlights the struggles that he is overcoming. Being able to see in his point of view, we gain insight on his emotions. ‘He felt utterly hopeless’ (Valgardson 54). The difficulties of Moira leaving him are properly understood by audiences because of this point of view.

The point of view also increases the tension in the story when Barry states that he does not know if his daughter actually does marijuana. Not knowing if his daughter is doing drugs leads to another component of the story that fathers must let their children have freedom despite their fears for them.

Personally, I believe the story will change if the story was in Moira’s point of view. She does not understand her father’s point of view and is trying to find herself. The story would change from focusing on a father letting go to a daughter breaking free. This story would not have the same impact as it does in the fathers point of view.

Short Story Questions + Answers• Zoé: (2)How is the ending of this story relevant to the topic of fatherhood?

Explain.

The ending of this story is when Barry allows Moira to take control of the climb which is symbolic of the beginning of him letting her go. This is relevant to the topic of fatherhood because every father has to one day let their child leave home to become their own person. However, Barry says that he is ‘determined to give her all the slack she needed while, at the same time, keeping his hands tense, ready to lock shut, ready to absorb the shock of any fall’(Valgardson 59). This is also relevant to the topic of fatherhood because as a father you are always there for your child and your role as a parent does not end when your child grows older.

• Emelie: (1) What are important metaphors in the short story Saturday Climbing by W.D Valgardson? Find proof.

In Saturday Climbing, the author uses several metaphors which all relate to Barry’s relationship with his daughter.

“Then unexpectedly the surfaces smoothed; the places where he could get a secure hold were spread farther and farther apart.”(52)

“At the same time, numerous cracks dwindled until there was no place to set any protection.” (52)

“His daughter eighty feet below seemed so small that Barry felt he could lift her into his arms.” (56)

“For a moment he suffered vertigo, and the cliff seemed to sway as if in an earthquake”(53)

All of these quotes represent the struggles Barry has to overcome as being a single parent. The cliff and rock-climbing serve as a hidden metaphor. Rock-climbing can be very difficult, just like parenting; you have to be ready for anything that may come towards you.

Short Story Questions + Answers

• Emelie: (2) How does Barry change at the end of the story? How does Moira change? Find proof.

At the end of the climb, Barry finally lets Moira lead the climb. It is as if he accepted that Moira is an adult now and she can make her own decisions. Barry is described as a dynamic character because of this change. We also learn that he will let Moira go off to College. He will be “ready to absorb the shock of any fall”(59).

“His daughter, easily, with the supreme confidence of youth, grasped a handhold and pulled herself onto a flake. Smoothly, she worked her way up one side of the crack, straddled it and

crossed over.

Below her, her father, ever watchful, full of fear, smoothly payed out the rope, determined to give her all the slack she needed while, at the same time, keeping his hands

tensed, ready to lock shut, ready to absorb the shock of any fall.” (59)

Moira also changes at the end of the story. As readers we can see that she gained confidence. She tells her father that she wants to lead the climb and that she is capable of making her own decisions. Moira can also be portrayed as a dynamic character.

Short Story Questions + Answers

Saturday Climbing Summary• In Saturday Climbing, Barry has a 16 year old daughter who is two years ahead in

her schooling. Barry has been raising his daughter Moira on his own ever since his wife left him. Moira and her dad go rock climbing and during this trip, Barry begins to worry and have concerns for his daughter that wants to go away to college. Barry fears of letting Moira going off to college at such a young age and uncertain that she is ready. Whereas Moira feels confident that she is fully capable going the next level in her schooling. Near the end of the story, Barry becomes more open to the idea of Moira going off to college.

CTHEMEVanessa Burke

The Main Character The main character in Saturday Climbing is Barry, a single father with a teenage daughter. Barry struggles with the idea of his 16 year old daughter Moira going off to college. He does not want Moira to leave him so soon because he feels she is the only person left as he states, “How will I get used to being alone?” Barry begins to develop as he learns Moira is very capable doing things on her own. Barry is starting to understand that his daughter is growing up, and is very independent. Barry is viewed as a dynamic character who only changes when he sees his daughter fully capable in making her own decisions and being responsible. His development ties into the theme because Barry ends up letting go of the fear that he is losing Moira, and accepts the fact that she is growing up.

Theme• The theme in Saturday Climbing is fear of letting go, which leads to Barry not being

able to trust Moira’s judgment. Barry cannot bare the fact that she is the only person he has left and loves, will be soon leaving him again while he thinks to himself, "His daughter 80 feet below, seemed so small that Barry felt he could lift her into his arms” (pg 56). Barry thinks Moira is way too young to be going off to college, as she is only 16 years old. When he wanted to tell Moira, “The house will be so empty. How will I get used to being alone?” (pg57) he felt extremely sad and unsure of letting her go. When He says, “Good girls, don’t stay out all night” (pg 56) he is trying to keep his daughter away from growing up so fast.

Media• With the amount of concerned parents for their young teens, a recent teen tracking

app has been developed.

• According to a concerned mother, “if we don’t know what is going on in their digital world we can’t guide them, can’t protect them, "says Jain.

• By constantly watching and “monitoring” your teenagers, it could result in harming your relationships. “It really gives the message, I don’t trust you at all,” states Barbara Greenburg, a family clinical psychologist and expert on teen behavior.

CTOPICEmelie Lauzon

Topic:

•“In Saturday Climbing, we see the challenges of fatherhood through Barry’s

character. He is constantly worried that his daughter, Moira is engaging herself in bad

behaviour.”•Barry wants to have power while his

daughter wants freedom.

1st QUOTATION TO PROVE TOPIC•"At the same time, the numerous cracks dwindled until there was no place to set any protection“ (Valgardson, 52).

INTERNAL CONFLICT

2nd QUOTATION TO PROVE TOPIC•“Then, unexpectedly, the surfaces smoothed, the

places where he could get a secure hold were spread farther and farther apart (Valgardson,

52)”

3rd QUOTATION TO PROVE TOPIC

• “His daughter eighty feet below, seemed so small that Barry felt he could lift her into his

arms. She looked no larger than she had been when, at three, she had eaten a bottle of

aspirin (Valgardson, 56)”.

SETTING• The setting of this short story is rock-climbing.

• The setting plays a key role in the story because it represents all the different problems Barry encounters as his role of being a single parent.

• The author chose rock-climbing because it

serves as a metaphor to Barry and Moira’s

relationship.

Minor Characters: Frizzy-haired girlThe frizzy-haired girl is characterized by her clothes, actions and the way she talks.

• “She had frizzy dark hair, wore long dresses that might have come from a western movie set, a rainbow assortment of beads, and a nose ring. She always talked as if she was thinking in some exotic language and was translating it badly” (Valgardson, 54).

Minor Characters: Ron (injured boy)• He is a flat character.

• Ron is described as being stubborn and over-confident

“Then, one of the climbers who was leading had ignored instructions and, overconfident, had put in only one piece of protection”(Valgardson, 58).

• Ron ignored Barry’s advice, so he got hurt.

Barry is worried that if Moira does not take his advice (not go to College because she is too young), she will get hurt.

These minor characters are important because Moira is similar to them which is what her father does not want her to be like.

Media text: Making the Transition to Fatherhood

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSVwiL-i_IE

•“As soon as you realize it’s about your kids and not you, that makes everything so much easier” -Rob

•This clip shows that Barry has to let his life revolve around Moira, which is a key point to fatherhood. •To have a healthy relationship you have to make compromises. There’s two people in a relationship.

CCONTEXTZoé Jeaurond

The 1990s

Social Issues in the 1990s

This was a social issue because divorce creates a large amount of strain on both individuals and their children. Divorce causes major changes in children’s lives that increases the risk that children will suffer from psychological and behavioral problems.

Divorce and Single Parenting

Single parenting has also increased due to adoption, divorce rates and the increase in births to unmarried women.

“Ever since his wife had left him, he had tried to compensate by providing unhesitating leadership for his daughter” (Valgardson 53).

• “Marijuana use among American youths and young adults increased substantially during the 1990s. Much of the increase in marijuana use could have been attributable to the growing popularity of blunts. If you ever wonder if there really was an increase in marijuana use just listen to the music. Much of the music and culture of the 90s was surrounded by the idea of getting ‘stoned’” (Palm Partners Recovery Center).

Social Issues in the 1990sDrug Abuse

“Over the previous months, she had come home late a number of times. Each time, the sweet sour smell of marijuana clung to her, and her pupils seemed unnaturally large. He had not dare accuse her of smoking dope” (Valgardson 54).

“(H)e had sought the advice of women at work who had teenage daughters. They had been no help. Behind their competent, efficient professional selves, they too, they realized were just as confused as he was” (Valgardson 54).

• The story’s main conflict is the father and daughters relationship. The daughter is growing up and wants freedom but her father finds it hard to trust her with all of that responsibility.

Main ConflictPerson vs Person

Development of the Conflict

Our Society TodayDoes this story relate?

Father Daughter Relationships

Drug Abuse

Divorce

Single Parenting

HOWEVERComputer in the 1990s Social Media Today

• Only beginning to become a part of everyday life

• Thousands of websites, easily accessible, no filters, not monitored

This extract from an article is meant to demonstrate how parents are unaware of the activities that their children partake in.

This media text highlights the need for parents to develop a stronger education about drugs and alcohol and to communicate with their children about substance abuse.

Message?

“He felt utterly helpless” (Valgardson 54)

“He had not dared to accuse her of smoking dope. If he was wrong, she would never forgive him for being unjust. Being right frightened him even more. If she said “That’s right, I’m smoking

dope, six joints a day, and sniffing coke and participating in orgies,” he didn’t know what he would do” (54).

Barry from Saturday Climbing is worried for his daughter because she is growing older

and demanding for more freedom. However, he suspects her of doing drugs and is scared

for her.

“Fathers can seem powerful and overwhelming to their daughters. Let her see your soft side. Express your feelings and reactions. Tell her where you came from and how you got there. Let her see that you have had fears, failures, anxious times, hurts, just like hers, even though you may look flawless to her” – Stella Chess

Conclusion

Works Cited• Chess, Stella. “Father-Daughter Relationship Quotes”. www.quotes.dictionary.com n.d.

Web. 10, March 2015.

• “Making the Transition to Fatherhood”. youtube.com. Father’s Forum Programs. 25 May 2011. Web. 6 March 2015.

• “The History of Drug Abuse: The 90’s” www.blog.palmpartners.com Palm Partner Recovery Center. 26 July 2013. Blog. 10 Mar. 2015.

• Valgardson, W.D. “Saturday Climbing” Imprints 11. Toronto: Gage Learning Corporation, 2001. Print.

• “Youth substance use: What do parents think?” mottnpch.org C.S Mott Children’s Hospital. September, 2012. Web. 10 March, 201

• “Teen tracking apps: Good parenting or risky?” http://www.usatoday.com USA Today. September 18, 2014. Web. 10 March, 2015.