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1. Do people ever get out of Des Moines, according to Bryson? Why or why not?

According to Bryson, people don't leave Des Moines. They either marry a local and work at Firestone or spend years complaining about the place and end up staying. Bryson also claims that many pass through the city and end up staying. However, since Bryson left Des Moines, clearly people do "get out."

2. What, in Bryson's opinion, is good about being from Des Moines?

Bryson discusses how he finds the scenery of Iowa to have "hysterical color" and everything else is bleak in comparison. Bryson also claims that in comparison to the rest of Iowa, Des Moines is wealthier and better educated. So, Bryson is claiming that Des Moines is not great, but better in comparison.

3. What was the effect of Bryson's "disturbed and erratic" childhood?

What Bryson calls his "disturbed and erratic childhood" has led him to a nostalgic "journey of discovery." Part of Bryson's objective with his small-town travels is to revisit the places of his youth to rediscover those feelings of his childhood.

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