The Ladder
What is the following?
The “ladder” analogy – represents the imagistic reality of how; not every child is born equal; nor
is circumstance fair. Members of the class: children are placed with unbelievable advantage and
incredible detriment, dependent only on life’s arbitrary cast of die.
How this analogy is structured:
1. Setting the scene
a. In this world there are children
b. All these children, in this world, live inside their own room.
c. All rooms are connected to one big room.
d. In this big room, there is no ceiling, only walls.
e. Once inside the big room, you must follow some rules.
f. At night, all children must enter the big room
2. Laying out the contention
a. In the big room there is tension
b. The room floods with water every night.
c. The children must find a way to stay above water
3. Solving this contention
a. Some children have ladders, the rest must swim
b. They bring this ladder with them; from their rooms
c. The ladder is the child’s salvation.
