Saturday Climbing

Saturday Climbing by W.D. Valgardson has a hidden metaphor within it. Basically this

story is about a relationship between a father and his daughter. As the story progresses the

reader realizes that the father and daughter climbing the cliff, is actually a metaphor for their lives together as a family.

The story begins with the father and the daughter at the bottom of the cliff. This is probably the easiest section of the hill to climb. There are plenty of ledges and footholds, which makes the climb very easy for Barrie and Moria (the father and the daughter of the story). This is a metaphor for the beginning of their lives together. When Moira was an infant Barrie had more control over the situation at hand. Fatherhood was not as stressful as it was to become later on as Moira become older.

In the middle of the story things are much more intense and difficult. The climb is not as enjoyable and at certain points, it might not even seem worthwhile. Barrie is the leader but he depends on Moira, who is below him on the cliff, to keep him from falling with her safety equipment. This is relevant to Moira's relationship with her father when she was a teenager. She becomes more rebellious and Barrie has a difficult job as her father. Though he was the father, he still needs her for support, just like when they were on the cliff. Everything she does affects Barrie in some way. Barrie was the leader on the cliff and in life, but he couldn't have made it without Moira.

The story turns around at the end of the conclusion. After they rest on a ledge, Moira gains enough confidence to take the lead on the cliff. Barrie is reluctant to let her at first, but like every parent must eventually let go, he gives in and decides that it is best to have faith in Moira. After Moira takes the lead and Barrie follows behind her, the climb is easy going once again. It's as if Moira has become an adult and Barrie has finally accepted that. Moira does a fine job leading the climb, and everything appears to be that way.

From start to finish of the climb they have problems but get through them in the end, the climb is indeed a metaphor of their lives together as a single parent family.