SATURDAY CLIMBING
C
BY W. D. VALGARDSON
Zoé Jeaurond, Emelie Lauzon and Vanessa Burke
Learning Goals
Students will be able to identify the topic, theme and context in
this short story.
Social issues in the text and their effects will be known and
understood.
 Students will see how media affects parents view on their
children.
• Vanessa: (2) When does Barry realize he is not as aware of what his daughter is
constantly up to? Explain.
• During this short story, Barry comes to the conclusion that his daughter Moira may be
under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. As Barry analyzes Moira, "over the
previous months, she had come home late a number of times. The sweet sour smell of
marijuana clung to her, and her pupils seemed unnaturally large. He had not dare
accuse her of smoking dope" (Valgardson 54) he avoids the confrontation of wrong
accusations. Barry realizes that he is unaware of what his 16 year old daughter is up to
late at night, which leads to him fearing for her safety. Moira may not be under the
influence of marijuana, but Barry would never know that unless they spoke about it.
Therefore, Barry remains unaware of what Moira does at social gatherings.
• Vanessa: (1) Why is trust such an important factor throughout Barry's and Moira's father
daughter relationship? Explain.
• Throughout the ups and downs of any father daughter relationship, trust is a key
element that allows any daughter to feel free and mature. Without trust, as examined
throughout the story, Barry finds himself lost and "utterly hopeless" (Valgardson 54),
when he is not even sure whether Moira does drugs. As a result, because of the lack of
trust Barry is discouraged to talk to his daughter Moira more openly about drug and
alcohol use. Also, trust is the most important factor in any relationship because it lets the
person feel comfortable and more open minded towards other topics. If there's
constantly a lack of trust how will anyone feel understanding to that person's opinion.
• Zoé: (1) How does Barry’s point of view effect the story? In your opinion, would the story
change if it was in Moira’s point of view?
In Saturday Climbing, the story is in the father’s point of view which highlights the
struggles that he is overcoming. Being able to see in his point of view, we gain insight
on his emotions.
(Valgardson 54). The difficulties of Moira
leaving him are properly understood by audiences because of this point of view.
 The point of view also increases the tension in the story when Barry states that he
does not know if his daughter actually does marijuana. Not knowing if his daughter is
doing drugs leads to another component of the story that fathers must let their
children have freedom despite their fears for them.
Personally, I believe the story will change if the story was in Moira’s point of view. She
does not understand her father’s point of view and is trying to find herself. The story
would change from focusing on a father letting go to a daughter breaking free. This
story would not have the same impact as it does in the fathers point of view.
• Zoé: (2)How is the ending of this story relevant to the topic of fatherhood? Explain.
The ending of this story is when Barry allows Moira to take control of the climb which
is symbolic of the beginning of him letting her go. This is relevant to the topic of
fatherhood because every father has to one day let their child leave home to
become their own person. However, Barry says that he is ‘determined to give her all
the slack she needed while, at the same time, keeping his hands tense, ready to lock
shut, ready to absorb the shock of any fall’(Valgardson 59). This is also relevant to the
topic of fatherhood because as a father you are always there for your child and
your role as a parent does not end when your child grows older.
• Emelie: (1) What are important metaphors in the short story Saturday Climbing by W.D
Valgardson? Find proof.
In Saturday Climbing, the author uses several metaphors which all relate to Barry’s relationship
with his daughter.
“Then unexpectedly the surfaces smoothed; the places where he could get a secure hold were
spread farther and farther apart.”(52)
“At the same time, numerous cracks dwindled until there was no place to set any protection.”
(52)
“His daughter eighty feet below seemed so small that Barry felt he could lift her into his arms.” (56)
“For a moment he suffered vertigo, and the cliff seemed to sway as if in an earthquake”(53)
All of these quotes represent the struggles Barry has to overcome as being a single parent. The cliff
and rock-climbing serve as a hidden metaphor. Rock-climbing can be very difficult, just like
parenting; you have to be ready for anything that may come towards you.
• Emelie: (2) How does Barry change at the end of the story? How does Moira change? Find proof.
At the end of the climb, Barry finally lets Moira lead the climb. It is as if he accepted that Moira is
an adult now and she can make her own decisions. Barry is described as a dynamic character
because of this change. We also learn that he will let Moira go off to College. He will be “ready to
absorb the shock of any fall”(59).
“His daughter, easily, with the supreme confidence of youth, grasped a handhold and pulled herself
onto a flake. Smoothly, she worked her way up one side of the crack, straddled it and crossed
over.
Below her, her father, ever watchful, full of fear, smoothly payed out the rope, determined
to give her all the slack she needed while, at the same time, keeping his hands tensed, ready to lock
shut, ready to absorb the shock of any fall.” (59)
Moira also changes at the end of the story. As readers we can see that she gained confidence.
She tells her father that she wants to lead the climb and that she is capable of making her own
decisions. Moira can also be portrayed as a dynamic character.
Saturday Climbing Summary
• In Saturday Climbing, Barry has a 16 year old daughter who is two years ahead in her
schooling. Barry has been raising his daughter Moira on his own ever since his wife left
him. Moira and her dad go rock climbing and during this trip, Barry begins to worry and
have concerns for his daughter that wants to go away to college. Barry fears of letting
Moira going off to college at such a young age and uncertain that she is ready.
Whereas Moira feels confident that she is fully capable going the next level in her
schooling. Near the end of the story, Barry becomes more open to the idea of Moira
going off to college.
THEME
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Vanessa Burke
The Main Character
The main character in Saturday Climbing is Barry, a single father with a teenage
daughter. Barry struggles with the idea of his 16 year old daughter Moira going off to
college. He does not want Moira to leave him so soon because he feels she is the only
person left as he states, “How will I get used to being alone?” Barry begins to develop as
he learns Moira is very capable doing things on her own. Barry is starting to understand
that his daughter is growing up, and is very independent. Barry is viewed as a dynamic
character who only changes when he sees his daughter fully capable in making her own
decisions and being responsible. His development ties into the theme because Barry
ends up letting go of the fear that he is losing Moira, and accepts the fact that she is
growing up.
Theme
• The theme in Saturday Climbing is fear of letting go, which leads to Barry not being
able to trust Moira’s judgment. Barry cannot bare the fact that she is the only person he
has left and loves, will be soon leaving him again while he thinks to himself, "His
daughter 80 feet below, seemed so small that Barry felt he could lift her into his arms”
(pg 56). Barry thinks Moira is way too young to be going off to college, as she is only 16
years old. When he wanted to tell Moira, “The house will be so empty. How will I get
used to being alone?” (pg57) he felt extremely sad and unsure of letting her go. When
He says, “Good girls, don’t stay out all night” (pg 56) he is trying to keep his daughter
away from growing up so fast.
Media
• With the amount of concerned parents for their young teens, a recent teen tracking
app has been developed.
• According to a concerned mother, “if we don’t know what is going on in their digital
world we can’t guide them, can’t protect them, "says Jain.
• By constantly watching and “monitoring” your teenagers, it could result in harming your
relationships. “It really gives the message, I don’t trust you at all,” states Barbara
Greenburg, a family clinical psychologist and expert on teen behavior.
TOPIC
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Emelie Lauzon
•“In Saturday Climbing, we see the challenges
of fatherhood through Barry’s character. He is
constantly worried that his daughter, Moira is
engaging herself in bad behaviour.”
•Barry wants to have power while his daughter
wants freedom.
1st QUOTATION TO PROVE TOPIC
•"At the same time, the numerous cracks
dwindled until there was no place to set any
protection“ (Valgardson, 52).
INTERNAL CONFLICT
2nd QUOTATION TO PROVE TOPIC
• “Then, unexpectedly, the surfaces smoothed, the places
where he could get a secure hold were spread farther
and farther apart (Valgardson, 52)”
• “His
daughter eighty feet below, seemed so small that
Barry felt he could lift her into his arms. She looked no
larger than she had been when, at three, she had eaten
a bottle of aspirin (Valgardson, 56)”.
• The setting of this short story is rock-climbing.
• The setting plays a key role in the story because it represents all
the different problems Barry encounters as his role of being a
single parent.
• The author chose rock-climbing because it
serves as a metaphor to Barry and Moira’s
relationship.
The frizzy-haired girl is characterized by her clothes, actions and
the way she talks.
• “She had frizzy dark hair, wore long dresses that might have
come from a western movie set, a rainbow assortment of beads,
and a nose ring. She always talked as if she was thinking in some
exotic language and was translating it badly” (Valgardson, 54).
• He is a flat character.
• Ron is described as being stubborn and over-confident
“Then, one of the climbers who was leading had ignored instructions and,
overconfident, had put in only one piece of protection”(Valgardson, 58).
• Ron ignored Barry’s advice, so he got hurt.
Barry is worried that if Moira does not take his advice (not
go to College because she is too young), she will get hurt.
These minor characters are important because Moira is similar to them
which is what her father does not want her to be like.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSVwiL-i_IE
• “As soon as you realize it’s about your kids and not you,
that makes everything so much easier” -Rob
•This clip shows that Barry has to let his life revolve
around Moira, which is a key point to
fatherhood.
•To have a healthy relationship you have to make
compromises. There’s two people in a
relationship.
CONTEXT
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Zoé Jeaurond
The 1990s
Social Issues in the 1990s
This was a social issue
because divorce creates a
large amount of strain on
both individuals and their
children. Divorce causes
major changes in children’s
lives that increases
the risk that children will
suffer from psychological
and behavioral problems.
Single parenting has also increased due to adoption, divorce
rates and the increase in births to unmarried women.
“Ever since his wife had left him, he had tried to
compensate by providing unhesitating leadership for his
daughter” (Valgardson 53).
Social Issues in the 1990s
• “Marijuana use among American youths and young adults increased
substantially during the 1990s. Much of the increase in marijuana use
could have been attributable to the growing popularity of blunts. If
you ever wonder if there really was an increase in marijuana use just
listen to the music. Much of the music and culture of the 90s was
surrounded by the idea of getting ‘stoned’” (Palm Partners Recovery Center).
“Over the previous months, she had come home late a
number of times. Each time, the sweet sour smell of
marijuana clung to her, and her pupils seemed unnaturally
large. He had not dare accuse her of smoking dope”
(Valgardson 54).
“(H)e had sought the advice of women at work who had
teenage daughters. They had been no help. Behind their
competent, efficient professional selves, they too, they
realized were just as confused as he was” (Valgardson 54).
• The story’s main conflict is the father and daughters relationship.
The daughter is growing up and wants freedom but her father finds
it hard to trust her with all of that responsibility.
Development of the
Conflict
Our Society Today
Father Daughter Relationships
Drug Abuse
Divorce
Single Parenting
HOWEVER
Computer in the 1990s
• Only beginning to become a
part of everyday life
Social Media Today
• Thousands of websites, easily
accessible, no filters, not
monitored
This extract from an article is meant to demonstrate how
parents are unaware of the activities that their children partake
in.
This media text highlights the need for parents to develop a
stronger education about drugs and alcohol and to
communicate with their children about substance abuse.
Barry from Saturday Climbing is worried for his
daughter because she is growing older and
demanding for more freedom. However, he
suspects her of doing drugs and is scared for
her.
“He felt utterly helpless” (Valgardson 54)
“He had not dared to accuse her of smoking dope. If he was wrong,
she would never forgive him for being unjust. Being right frightened
him even more. If she said “That’s right, I’m smoking dope, six joints a
day, and sniffing coke and participating in orgies,” he didn’t know
what he would do” (54).
“Fathers can seem powerful and overwhelming to their
daughters. Let her see your soft side. Express your feelings
and reactions. Tell her where you came from and how
you got there. Let her see that you have had fears,
failures, anxious times, hurts, just like hers, even though
you may look flawless to her” – Stella Chess
Works Cited
• Chess, Stella. “Father-Daughter Relationship Quotes”. www.quotes.dictionary.com n.d.
Web. 10, March 2015.
• “Making the Transition to Fatherhood”. youtube.com. Father’s Forum Programs. 25 May
2011. Web. 6 March 2015.
• “The History of Drug Abuse: The 90’s” www.blog.palmpartners.com Palm Partner
Recovery Center. 26 July 2013. Blog. 10 Mar. 2015.
• Valgardson, W.D. “Saturday Climbing” Imprints 11. Toronto: Gage Learning
Corporation, 2001. Print.
• “Youth substance use: What do parents think?” mottnpch.org C.S Mott Children’s
Hospital. September, 2012. Web. 10 March, 201
• “Teen tracking apps: Good parenting or risky?” http://www.usatoday.com USA Today.
September 18, 2014. Web. 10 March, 2015.