Commitment can be defined as the measure of an individual’s desire to succeed. Commitment refers to what allows for a promise to transform into a reality, and is the act of following through (Ashbash, 2005). This is a common occurrence within families, neighbors, employers, religious beliefs, our health, and in all things we do and say (6:5, Ephesians; 10:25, Hebrews; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 31, n.d.). Joe Simpson; the author of Touching the Void and Nando Parrado; the author of Miracle in the Andes, share the same communication of this idea throughout their writing. Throughout Joe Simpson’s novel, Touching the Void, two mountain climbers make a perilous venture to the summit of Peruvian Andes and strike tragedy on their decent, displaying the …show more content…
With the initial 40 survivors from the Fairchild F-227’s impact, dwindling to 16 at the time of their rescue 2 months later; it became detrimental to the group and their survival to not lose faith and commitment to their consequent rescue. The 16 remaining survivors, in order to survive, were required to consume the human flesh of fallen group members or otherwise risk their impending death by starvation. “We understood, intuitively, that no one in this awful place could be judged by the standards of the ordinary world.” (Parrado, 2006). This quote makes it clear that the author wants to showcase the commitment to their personal and group survival that was demonstrated by the 16 remaining survivors and how they had to challenge their moral codes. By pushing these moral boundaries and allowing themselves to accept the very limited options available, the group’s commitment was clearly displayed and …show more content…
Throughout his writing he expands on the definition of commitment being the measure of an individual’s desire to succeed. Throughout the extensive plotline of “Touching the Void”; two mountain climbers set their sights on the Peruvian Andes and aim to reach the summit. After concluding the journey to the peak of the mountain ranges, they make their careful decent linked to one another by rope. During their treacherous decent; a complication arises when Joe tumbles from a ledge and falls suspending in free space held up by the rope attached to Simon. Teamwork and commitment to one another’s survival is vividly displayed throughout the text. “Who said one man can’t rescue another…We had changed from climbing to rescue and the partnership had worked just as effectively” (Simpson, 2004). The quoted text accurately represents the goals, commitment and desire to succeed shared by the two men on their decent from the mountain. Even through disaster, the commitment of the two men prevails which allows them to continue on even when the probable outcome does not seem favorable. The Sony Pictures film, ‘The pursuit of Happyness’, shares similar ideas of commitment evident throughout Joe Simpson’s text. “You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period”