Monday, July 8, 2013
Question Five: Dominant Themes
Throughout "A Walk in the Woods", there are many interesting themes. I have noticed that three of these themes remain consistent throughout the entire book. The most important theme is most likely time and distance. The entire book explains how time-consuming and difficult a trip like the Appalachian Trail really is. The author reflects on the fact that after a while, you stop focusing on how many miles you walked, and instead on how many breaths you took that day. He also writes that maps of the Appalachian Trail are extremely frustrating because every kilometer you walk is usually only about a centimeter on the map. Another dominant theme within the book is humor. As I have read, I have observed that many events in the book are actually pretty funny. All of the characters are developed in a way that you start to understand what the individuals are thinking. There are also many risks and decisions within the novel. The characters must take many different factors into account as they walk. They need to keep an eye out for bad weather and dangerous animals, as well as think ahead in order to make sure that when they camp, they will be on flat ground. There are times in the book when the characters must make quick decisions that could even mean life or death. All of these themes are essential to this story and I will continue to observe them as I read.
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Those (time/distance, humor, risks/decisions) are all very interesting and important themes that you've mentioned, and they seem to convey the books message well. (from what you've said in your post. I haven't read the book myself) Quick question though. What other themes are shown throughout the book?
ReplyDeleteAnother theme would probably be hope and defeat, considering Bryson sets many hopeful goals for himself and then later on in the book realizes he could never fulfill those goals. Characters and their imprints on Bryson's life would be another important theme. He meets so many people along the way and some of them have VERY interesting personalities. For instance, one character is a woman who decides to kind of tag along with Bryson and his friend Katz as they are hiking the trail. However, Katz and Bryson really do not enjoy this woman's company. She talks too much, tells them they're doing everything wrong, eats their food, and so on. Bryson meets a lot of interesting characters along the way! (:
ReplyDeleteThe character I followed in Three Cups of Tea also had to take many risks throughout the novel. Even being in Pakistan and Afghanistan, he was taking a risk, especially when he decided to stay right after the Twin Towers were attacked. Both countries were declared extremely dangerous for American citizens, but he decided to stay in order to further his charity and complete the work he had to do there.
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a big risk! That sounds like a really interesting book!
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