Deliverance Chapter Summary & Analysis - Before Summary

Before Summary

Ed Gentry, the first-person narrator, introduces Lewis Medlock, Bobby Trippe and Drew Ballinger as the four of them pore over a map of the Cahulawassee River. Lewis is attempting to persuade the other three men to join him on a whitewater canoeing expedition down this river, because it is about to be dammed and, soon, the entire valley in which it lies will be filled with a reservoir. Thus, they can have one big adventure together on a river that will soon pass into history. Although Bobby and Drew are hesitant, Ed is more than happy to join in the trip.

All four men are in their mid- to late 30s and they all work at uninteresting, unfulfilling jobs. Thus, the chance to go off on an adventure has a certain appeal for them, although the river is fast and dangerous. Eventually, Lewis manages to sway Drew and Bobby into...
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