A Boy and a Man

A Boy and a Man Response

3/2/11

Nick Majeskie

It was cold in the Alpps and I was climbing up the mountain, when a stumble on a trench. In the trench I could hear screams for help. Since something was screaming I answered with a "hello" page 117. That was when Rudi knew he must save the person in the trench. Little did he know the man stuck in the trench was Captain Winter the best mountain climber. A Boy and a Man, written by James Ramsey Ullman, is very interesting. When reading this short story it is clear that this is a comedy mode of literature.

Since the short story is a comedy mode of literature it has a plotline. Comedy plotlines start with everyday normal life. Everyday normal life for Rudi is climbing mountains because he loves climbing. Next on the plotline there is a minor conflict with the main character. The minor problem is he found a man trapped in a trench with no food. After the minor conflict that is when the conflict is realized. It shows this when Captain Winter says "You should go get help" page 117. Rudi refuses to get help because it would take too long and Captain Winter would be frozen to death. When the conflict is realized there is a resolution after. The resolution is when the problem is solved. Rudi solved the problem by making a rope with his clothes and with his staff he was using to climb the mountain. Then Captain Winter climbed up the clothes rope and was safe. Lastly the characters go back to everyday life. Rudi goes home and Captain Winter goes and climbs other mountains.

In addition to a plotline in a comedy mode of literature there are characteristics. There are only two characteristics and they are if the story is realistic and that the main character is in control. These two characteristics are shown in many ways. One of the ways it shows reality is when the boy found the man trapped in the trench. Also one way the main character showed his control was when Rudi had a choice to save him or, he could have tried to go get help but, that could risk the Captain Winter's life.

As well as the characteristics there is also the purpose. The purpose of a comedy mode of literature is when there is a happy ending and when we can solve our own problems. The happy ending was that Captain Winter was saved. Rudi showed that he could solve his own problems he did that by saving Captain Winter.Everything that is a comedy mode of literature is in this short story. Finally after stating the following information it is clear to me that this is comedy mode of literature.