There were many moments in the telling that evoke emotion both in the teller and the listener. For me the moment that most involved was the final chapter, the encounter with the jaguar. In my opinion, this moment also showed the greatest use of distinct sound variations.
In this scene we can hear a wide range of emotion from amusement to fear to awe. Rabinowitz uses a lot of fluctuation in his vocal volume and speed to let the listener know which moments was extremely tense and required immediate action. When he realized that it was getting dark and he did not want to be caught in the jungle after dark his voice gets much louder and his rate of speech quickens. His speech softens both in volume and speed when he is eye to eye with the jaguar in the forest.
You could really sense his excitement and passion in this scene. He was very anxious to tell this part of this story. He had great personal pride in what he had accomplished both for the jaguars and for his own personal self worth.
The climactic line was when he explains what he saw in the jaguar. He reflects back to his childhood and his encounter with the “sad eyed” jaguar. In his most powerful voice Rabinowitz says, “In this animals eyes there was strength and power.” He says this with such conviction that the listener believes in the power and assuredness of the animal.
Alan Rabinowitz takes his listeners on a journey with him. A journey that starts as a scared little boy wanting desperately to have a voice in the world but unable to find his voice both physically and emotionally. This is ultimately demonstrated in the encounter with the jaguar at the zoo. The discourse leads us on his journey of trying and failing (conflict) to overcome his disabilities. He makes the most of life as it is, but always dreams of what life could be.
Throughout childhood he seems to have a basic understanding of what life could and should be, if only he could overcome himself.
In his later college years the break through in his speech seems to give him permission to follow the path of his heart. He has encounters with people who guide him on his way and give the knowledge and advice that he will need for his journey.
It is his own personal experience though, that brings everything together (climax) and helps Alan realize his true purpose and mission, one that has been since he was a boy.
As has been stated in other thoughts, the story comes full circle, ending with Rabinowitz once again face to face with the beast. This time however, he has found his voice both physically and emotionally.
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