Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier Cold Mountain takes place against the historical backdrop of the American Civil War (18611865) in which eleven states in the south of the USA broke away to form their own separate government the Confederacy. What was expected to be a short war, and an easy victory for the Union (the North), became one of the most bitter civil wars in world history. Cold Mountain is the emotional story of Inman, a young soldier, and Ada, the woman he loves. As the narrative alternates between Inmans story of his hard journey home and Adas story of a journey into adulthood, the true nature of the relationship between the two unfolds. As Inman approaches Adas home, so Ada approaches an understanding of her own feelings and her place in the world. The tension builds up to a dramatic climax when the lovers eventually meet, although they are tragically destined to share each others love for an agonizingly brief time. Inman tries to go back to Cold Mountain because Ada’s home is near Cold Mountain.
When he reaches Cold Mountain he can go to Ada’s home. The plot of Cold Mountain is to reunite Inman and Ada. Inman deserts the Confederate army a few years after the start of the war, and he tries to go back to Cold Mountain where he can find Ada’s home. On his way to Cold Mountain Inman faces many challenges. First of all he has to hide from the home guard so they can’t capture him and take him back He has to hide from federal raiders so he won’t get killed on his way back Also he has to find food and shelter everyday. Inmans journey brings him in touch with a variety of strange characters, most of whom are either exceptionally bad or exceptionally good people.
His dealings with such characters reveal him to be an emotional but very honorable man. He saves a pregnant woman from a horrible death and punishes the man who has wronged her; he revenges a war widow and comforts her in her grief; and finally, he kills Home Guard leader Teague, who has destroyed hundreds of peoples lives in the name of personal power and greed. Adas story is about a different kind of struggle. After the death of her beloved father she finds herself incapable of looking after herself, or the house and farm that now belong to her. But the arrival of Ruby, a warm-hearted and practical country girl, means that the farm is soon running efficiently. A bond of great support and love between the women leads to Adas personal development as a responsible and caring woman. Similarly, Ruby is able to find peace by learning to forgive the father who abandoned her as a child.
Ada & Inman have many differences, and similarities and that things make relationships interesting. Having different points of view, different believe keeps the people involve in relationships busy trying to learn a little bit from each other. In relationships similarities are used as a balance. Similarities keep the relationship from being all disagreement. Having similar goals, hobby, interest keep the relationship healthy. In the novel Cold Mountain the author Charles Frazier portraits two characters Ada and Inman, that have both differences and similarities which enhances their relationship in to a balance more interesting one. This two main characters Ada and Inman have many differences in their life.
The first difference came in their childhood. The second major difference comes in the form of Cold Mountain. This place is seen by Inman as a beautiful place he can go to forget, relax, and to be reborn. He believe this thanks to his Indian friend Swimmer who tells Inman that Cold Mountain is the closes thing to the heavens. Adas view of Cold Mountain is on the opposite side of the spectrum. Adas sees Cold Mountain as Visible moisture- light haze, dense valley fogs, tatters of cloud hanging like rags on the shoulders of Cold Mountain. The third major difference is found the way they feel about small town life.
Ada comes form city life. She lived in Charleston before moving to the country there for she had a view of the country that was not in the positive side. In the other hand Inman sees the country as his home. But not everything where differences between the characters of Ada and Inman. There were also some similarities between them. The first similarity is found in their believe of the supernatural.
Their characters both see superstition as a last resort for hope. Ada sees a man coming to town in a reflection in a well, this image she believe is the image of the person thats going to solve her problems. Inmans supernatural believe is the hope that Cold Mountain is a magical place were he can be reborn. They also agree in the thought that they need some one to help them continue their life. When Ada and Inman finally meet again in the wild countryside of Cold Mountain, Ada barely recognizes the broken man before her. But war has taught them both to persevere against all odds. After just a few nights together they make their plans for the future and begin their journey home. But on this final journey, Inman is shot dead.
He dies in the arms of the woman he loves. This couple have well balance characteristics. They both agree on some and disagree on others. Through out history, the most common problem that couples face has been just plain boredom. This leads to infidelity because the spause is looking to fill the hole the partner leave open in the relationship. To avoid boredom a couple should have a balance, well rounded relationship.
And to achieve balance the most important factors that should be present are similarity, and deference. Something that the main characters of this novel have in perfect in perfect harmony. The book ends several years after the main story. We learn that Ada has had Inmans baby, now an energetic young girl. The books sad ending reflects Inmans thoughts that You can only choose to go on or not, and if you go on, you carry your wounds with you. Cold Mountain. Charles Frazier An interview with Charles Frazier.