The events of the trip changed Ed Gentry. Describe Ed as James Dickey wanted you to see him at the beginning of the story, then describe him at the end. Are you surprised by those changes? Why or why not? Do you think James Dickey does a good job of taking the reader through the steps necessary for that transformation? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Music is one way of creating powerful, emotional connections to places, people, and events. In the story, guitar music played during the trip is one way James Dickey evokes a sense of the rural South. Discuss what kind of guitar music the author chose for this story, where in the novel the playing of music was used, and what effect hearing that music had on the listeners. Discuss some other ways James Dickey evoked a sense of the rural South. Cite scenes where he used those other methods to enhance the mood.

Essay Topic 3

In the story, Lewis is the leader of the group although his decisions are not always the right ones. When the men search for the Cahulawassee River in order to put their canoes in and begin the journey, Lewis chooses to find the river himself rather than follow men who know the area, which results in his getting the entire group lost. Write a paper in which you discuss at least two of the following points:

1) What qualities make a person a leader?

2) Why is Lewis the leader of this particular group? Do you think he is the best man for the job? Explain your answer.

3) Once the trip is underway, do you think his decisions are good ones? Why or why not?

4) What might happen differently if one of the others is the leader of the group?

(see the answer keys)

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