The Devils Thumb By John Krakauer: A Literary Analysis

Have you ever been the first to do something? If so, you fall into the category of these two incredibly courageous gentlemen named Erik Weihenmayer and John Krakauer. Both of them attempted to do something most people would have never thought to do which is climbing. In “The Devils Thumb” by John Krakauer, he attempts to be the first person to climb the Devils Thumb, which is located in Canada. On the other hand, in “Everest” by Erik Weihenmayer, Erik attempts to climb Mt. Everest as a blind man. Even though they are two totally different stories, they also contain a few similarities. However, the most comparable aspects of the text included the perspective, organizational structure, and tone. The author’s perspective in the “The Devils Thumb”

The tone that Krakauer conveys in his text includes: hopefulness, anxiety, frustration, pensiveness, and sorrow. A few of the word choices he chooses are intensely, happiness, and expectations. At the exposition of the story, Krakauer is hopeful that he will be able to climb the mountain. During his climb becomes really focused yet a sense of happiness when he says, “By and by, your attention becomes so intensely focused that you no longer notice the raw knuckles, the cramping thighs, the strain of maintaining nonstop concentration…. At such moments, something like happiness stirs in your chest, but it isn’t the sort of emotion you want to lean on very hard.” (133) These sentences allow the reader to understand how he is feeling and what he is going through. He is clearly focused on trying to reach the top of the mountain and is very determined and to get there. However, as he continues to climb he begins to feel anxious as well as a frustrated with the challenges he is now beginning to face. When he is unable to persevere through them and something unexpected occurs he reflects upon himself by saying, “You had to hand it to me, I thought I had a real knack for living up to the old man’s worst expectations.” (135) At this point he is feeling very frustrated with himself and the tone of the text is pensive. He really wanted to please his dad by doing something no other man has done. Subsequently, as he is reflecting upon himself, he begins to feel like he is not good enough to live up to his dad expectations. Lastly, the tone of the text turns sorrow once he has to return home. He tries to make the reader feel bad for him since he has to return home unsuccessful. Also, since he is by himself, he is very lonesome and