Narrative- April Fools on Polar Circus By: Janet Roddan


This piece was fascinating to me, as the adventure aspect to the story very captivating. Through this brief journey with the writer, I feel like I understand her, and can relate to her. Since a narrative is designed to tell a story, the plot structure is important, and Roddan demonstrates all of the elements to story telling perfectly.
In the introduction, she announces that "the dance with fear fascinates me." This is a very interesting quote because upon hearing it, you want to understand her draw, and you want to know if she's crazy. She establishes her purpose for the adrenaline pumping sport of ice climbing, that it "leads (her) into (herself)", and that while she climbs, "fear talks to (her)," a very intimate feeling to share. Already you've established a strong character trait in the writer, that she's fearless; this quality is hard to obtain. In learning this, I gained a respect for her, and wanted to climb with her and follow the story. The strong correlation between fear and bodily responses was described very well, using intense phrases like "(fear) wraps its fingers around my heart and squeezes gently." I could feel my heartbeat picking up when she mentioned adrenaline, and the "whispered warnings." If the introduction to a story can actually cause an increased heart rate and sweaty palms, the writer has done a good job.
Roddan describes a very intimate relationship with nature, and truly connects with her surroundings. By using "we" so often when referring to her actions, she establishes a connection with the reader, and a sense of respect and coordination with the natural environment. She looks at nature as a force to be respected, awe inspiring, like the single most omniscient force in our world, it is perfect and above all else, it is "unconcerned with whether we view (it) or not." The writer adjusts to the mountain, taking it for what it is and becoming one with nature, she "articulates the right series of moves, body position...with a frozen tongue of ice," signifying her connection with the mountain. She allows the reader to feel inspired by the power of nature, like the quote, "To talk with the mountain is strong medicine." She also writes in present tense the entire time, allowing the reader to see every angle and know exactly how she's feeling. There is not a single instance in the narrative where you are sitting in the dark, or confused, she keeps you right up to date with describing her journey very particularly, like her paragraph description of just one axe placement into the ice, as WE "hold on, struggling to control the fear that pounds through OUR veins and capillaries."
As she climbs, Roddan describes her journey using very powerful images, such as "pitch of ice" and "burn our calves" or "undulating ice." It seems like such a long and powerful climb, and the reader becomes intrigued by the experience. Her journey illustrates an excellent rising action, and quite literally the climb to the peak. The climax to the story is also very well done, as she describes her struggle with the ice, and the terrifying point where "a big block of ice disengages itself; (her) tool is embedded in it. Time stops." Roddan, as the hero of the story reaches an epic realization of "desire and commitment," when her friend talks sense into her so that she can finish the climb. The ending of the story leaves the reader with a sense of relief, and accomplishment as she makes it to the peak, and she uses great imagery like the "great Goddess" at the top of her climb. The falling action is very effective, the slow rappel down the mountain, and her analogy between the fireflies and Roddan and her partner was very effective, connecting herself with nature once again as the fireflies hum and buzz softly, just like her and her friend. She exhibits a wonderful example of a narrative, and shares a very personal experience with the reader in a unique, and intimate way, by taking us with her on the climb and allowing us to experience her exact feelings together.