TOP MAN by James Ramsey Ullman Author James

TOP MAN by James Ramsey Ullman

Author: James Ramsey Ullman (1907 -71) • He drew from his own experiences. • He scaled Everest, the Matterhorn, Mt. Olympus and the Canadian Rockies. • Breakneck on the Hudson River— famous snake encounter inspired him

Plot—exploration team attempts to climb the summit of Kalpurtha Setting—Kalpurtha (K 3) • highest peak in the Garhwal Himalayas • 27, 930 ft. • fictional 4 th highest peak in the world

Main Characters’ Credentials Osborn Nace Excited Reserved Inexperienced Experienced Younger & Muscular Older & Agile

Osborn Nace Excited Reserved Inexperienced Experienced Younger & Muscular Older & Agile Enthusiastic Cautious Immature Self-controlled

Osborn & Nace superior mountaineers SIMILARITY

Minor Characters: • Narrator – Frank • Sayre Randolph – team leader • Wittmer –lawyer • Johns – Alaskan pioneer • Dr. Schlapp – physician • Bixler – meteorologist/photographer • porters – natives

Character Types: • Protagonist— Martin Nace • Antagonist— Paul Osborn *He is a catalyst used to reveal Nace’s struggles.

Conflicts • man vs. man= Nace & Osborn • man vs. greater power= mountain • man vs. himself v Nace’s age v death of Furness “TO MARTIN FROM JOHN”

Christian Character Qualities • Courage (Josh. 1: 9, 18; Ps. 27: 14) • Selflessness (I John 3: 16 -18) • Enthusiasm (Col. 3: 23) • Wisdom (Prov. 1: 5; 13: 20)

Theme: “It is during ordeals like this that the surface trappings of a man are shed and his secret mettle [courage] laid bare. ” *It is during hard times that you find out what a man is really like.

STEM LIST 2 Do you know these example words?

Master of Irony: a situation that is strange or funny because things happen in a way that seems to be the opposite of what you expected

Examples of Irony • Town Name: Summit is flat. • Characters: Kidnappers are kidnapped. • Resolution: Kidnappers pay to return their victim.

Ironic Characterization • Protagonists: Sam & Bill (kidnappers) • Antagonist: Red Chief (kidnapped child)

Ironic Conflicts • Man vs. Man: Kidnappers vs. kid • Man vs. Himself: Bill vs. his intense fear of the kid

Ironic Allusions Example: David vs. Goliath *The little man wins!

Themes Crime never pays. Easy wealth doesn’t come easily. *You reap what you sow.