Peak Characters
The protagonist of the story.
Peak Marcello
What does Peak do at the beginning of the story to get arrested?
He climbs buildings in NYC, and spray paints his tag onto the top of them.
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Beginning of the story, specifically the Woolworth building.
Identify the figurative language::
“…like the glacier was a bowling lane.”
Simile
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Comparing two things using "like", or "as"
Explain how relationships would be a major theme of the story.
Peak’s family, friendships on the mountain, teacher/student
What is a moleskine?
A type of notebook that Peak has to write in for his alternative school requirements.
Peak's biological father, a professional climber.
Joshua Wood
What happens at Peak's court date? Who shows up? What does the judge decide?
Sentenced to jail until he turns 18 and fined $150,000.
Joshua Wood, Dad.
Joshua convinces the judge to allow Peak to leave the country with him under his supervision almost entirely consequence free, as long as he doesn't break any laws in NYC for 3 years.
Identify the figurative language:
“…and Holly was waiting for me like a guard dog.”
Simile
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Comparing two things using "like", or "as"
Explain how survival is a major theme of the story.
Daily life on Mount Everest, Daily life on Everest with(out) Joshua and others helping, Daily life being in close proximity to an oppressive Chinese military.
What does Peak spray paint as his tag on buildings?
Small blue mountains
Peak's English teacher from his school.
Vincent
Dad leaves to get back to clients.
Sun-jo.
Zopa.
Upset that his Dad isn't present, or helping him through the first steps.
Identify the following figurative language:
"....base camp was a nightmare."
Metaphor
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Comparing two things WITHOUT "like" or "as"
Explain how change is a major theme of the story.
Peak learns to make wise decisions, think of others before his self, and goes through many personal changes (location, school, familial, etc.).
True or False: Peak's Dad is very rich and successful, he does not need any extra publicity for his business.
False
A Buddhist monk who leaves the temple to take Peak to Base Camp. He has muscles, money, and wisdom.
Zopa
The other climbers protest it, threaten to sue.
Acclimatization, Intense/Unpredictable weather, HAPE, etc.
Captain Shek.
People get sick, die, or quit, which creates openings on the climbing permit.
Identify the type of figurative language:
“…dark as a moonless night…straight as a floor timber…as broad as I am tall…”
Simile
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Using "like", or, "as" to compare two things.
Explain how courage is a major theme for the story.
Courage to take chances and the courage to say enough is enough
What is the name of Josh's business?
Peak Experience
Sun-jo
Describe the ending of the novel with your group:
What challenges do Sun-jo and Peak face at the end of the novel? What are they scared of?
Who summits? Why does this character? How did Zopa know?
How does Peak get past the soldiers?
How does it end for Peak and Sun-jo?
Difficult route, soldiers climbing up after them, dead bodies everywhere, intense weather and dangerous climbs, summit fever.
Sun-jo, Peak lets him and documents it, Zopa predicted Peak would let him...which freaks Peak out.
Peak tells the soldiers that he was helping run supplies up to the camp... Shek questions him but he escapes with his camera memory card.
Peak and Sun-jo both get what they need from Holly. Sun-jo publicity, and Peak gets left alone. Peak realizes family is the most important to him.
Identify the type of figurative language:
“You can never tell who the mountain will allow and who it will not.”
Personification
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Giving human-like qualities to a nonliving thing.
Explain how interdependence (being dependent on one person, and them depending on you) is a major theme for the story.
Peak and Sun-jo have to depend on one another to make it to the top of Mt. Everest.
What is a Gamow bag? How is it used and what is it's purpose?
A bag similar to a body bag, that you zip up around a climber who has HAPE. You pump the bag full of air that is easier/cleaner for them to breathe to help their condition.