Deep Thoughts

A.P. Lit:

Cold Mountain Response #2

9/4/13

To toy with impending death isn’t usually advisable. In Charles Frazier’s novel Cold Mountain, protagonist W.P. Inman truly throws fear to the wind as he takes on long odds and hairy situations repeatedly. Finding himself in one piece (for the most part) in the end of each scene further contributes to his awe-inspiring aura. Fearlessness is a trait that few possess, yet, Inman not only embodies, but embraces it. It’s amazing that he could traverse the Confederate South without being shot, (well, until he reached his destination, but that’s beside the point). I can hardly juggle savoring an ice cream sandwich while typing this, yet Inman could take on a pair of men who jump him outside a country store, at the same time, with ease. Granted, those two might’ve been a tad drunk, which would skew the analogy in favor of Inman, but I digress.

The book presents a number of themes and ideas to take away for the reader, but one scene in particular seems to sum up Frazier’s novel in one fell swoop. When Teague and his men round up deserters from at agricultural whore house, the immoral, unjust, hard-scrabble lives that were being led in the disintegrating Confederate South are put on full display. Prior to leaving the farm, Inman is nearly seduced by a group of sisters, whose promiscuity is not in the least bit subtle. This aspect of the passage serves to at once show the state of society and to exemplify Inman’s self-control.

Soon after this scene Teague shows up with his men. The Confederate Guard leader is hell bent upon re-enlisting any runaways he finds. However, not long after Inman and his companion Veasy join the parade of deserters, Teague deems the prisoners too weak to continue and orders them all shot. Veasy, who had impregnated a girl out of wedlock, and subsequently been shunned from his town, drank, smoked, and slept with a prostitute before he finally met his demise. Inman had committed no such...