James Dickey’s Deliverance Essay Example

works as a graphic designer or art director in an advertising agency, Bobby Trippe who sells insurance, Drew Ballinger who works in the soft drink industry, and Lewis Medlock who is an avid outdoorsman seeking to break free from his own oppressive life as a landlord. Medlock is the catalyst for the group's canoe trip and ultimate journey of self-discovery.

The initial chapter of the book details a typical workday for Ed, revealing the mundane and uneventful occurrences that fill his daily life. The reader gradually recognizes the repetitive nature of Ed's routine, as nothing novel or stimulating takes place throughout these activities.

Ed is indistinguishable from other office workers. He blends in like a drone in a bee colony or a worker in an ant farm. Dickey uses symbolism to depict Ed's interaction with his son while packing for a trip. The use of a knife raises questions about its purpose and generates an anticipation of possible events.

When Lewis picked up Ed, the car was filled with various camping equipment. Ed feels pressure to conform to the stereotype of an outdoorsman or a manly image expected by society. He imagines being identified by what they are carrying and wearing in the event of an accident and realizes he must live up to the equipment or risk the trip being a disappointment. Ed's choice of words, such as "invading force," acknowledges that he perceives himself as an outsider to nature and the rugged environment. This weekend trip is an opportunity for Ed to improve his survivalist skills.

Lewis sees himself as a macho man from the 70s, keen to lead by example and inspire others. He's dynamic

and physically impressive, as he believes having a conditioned body is crucial for survival in a scenario where machines fail, and humans must start anew. Lewis sees an opportunity to prove his manhood through embarking on a journey to escape his mundane existence. His ideal escape plan involves canoeing the Cahulawassee River located in the north Georgia wilderness. Unfortunately, the river is scheduled to be flooded due to upcoming construction of a dam and lake, which makes Lewis eager to embark on this adventure before it's too late.

Barnett) These four middle-aged men are in search of a weekend filled with adventure to prove their capabilities, while navigating a fierce and winding river that will soon transform into a peaceful lake. However, they acknowledge that after the trip ends, like the now-calm river, they will revert back to their uneventful lives. Similar to William Faulkner's "The Bear" and Herman Melville's "Moby Dick", this novel explores themes of self-awareness, growth, and preservation through violent encounters with wilderness.

According to Calhoun in 1987, the stage is set for a confrontation between humanity and nature in a river. In this scenario, humans need to abandon their civilized ways and rely on their primal instincts. The challenge demands the use of knives and bows to prove one's mettle against nature, a rite of passage eagerly anticipated by every young man, as named by Old Indians.

At this stage, the young brave transforms into a warrior, facing challenges of the wilderness, other warriors, and personal growth. Though already men, they must display inner bravery and confront the unknown. Such inner conflicts are universally experienced.

The concept of survival and the inquiry into one's

ability to defend oneself, loved ones, and friends is a constant concern. In an expedition, individuals must rely on their resourcefulness for survival. In moments that necessitate courage and bravery, we question if we possess the necessary qualities to become true leaders. Dickey divides the novel into five parts: "Before," which concludes with Ed viewing a young model as a symbol of his youth and energy; three middle sections titled with dates of the trip (September 14-16); and "Last," which holds significant importance as the final section. Every segment represents progression and serves as its own unit while "Before" embodies hope and potential for Ed.

In "September 14," the city dwellers encounter the hillbillies at a gas station in Oree, highlighting their difference in society. The city men are now trespassing in the mountains and outside of their comfort zones, as they navigate the wilderness. Ed's imagination is fulfilled when he has an encounter with a mysterious owl that claws through his tent. This event leads Ed and his friends to communicate with nature, fulfilling Drew's desire to do so.

At the start of "September 15," Ed dons his fog-colored long underwear, representing his growing connection with nature. Although he wakes up early and goes hunting with his bow and arrow, he misses his shot at a deer due to his shaky hands and explains to Lewis that he broke down psychologically at the last moment.

Despite residing in the city, Ed lacks the skills necessary for survival and remains drawn to his previous way of life. Tragically, while tied to a tree, one of the mountain men assaults Bobby with Ed's knife. In that moment,

Ed realizes he cannot locate Bobby and the other canoe is nowhere to be seen.

I experienced a personal, physical moment in which I shrank to my actual size and strained my solar plexus. This traumatic event caused me, Bobby, to lose my innocence and become a changed individual. I felt scared, unable to act, and insecure. I no longer bragged about myself and felt defeated by the person who had committed rape against me. During the assault, Ed was present but couldn't do anything except bow his head and consider his options. A scream was heard, which seemed like it could have been mine if not for the lack of breath.

After hearing the sound of pain and outrage, a louder one follows, causing any person to pause and reflect. The loss of innocence is invaluable and Ed's journey in nature has turned into a pursuit for self-defense and vengeance. Caught in a rock crevice, he is no longer on a romantic adventure with nature as Bobby has been sexually assaulted and Drew has been murdered.

In order to exact his revenge, he plans to commit another murder, and Ed takes on the strenuous task of climbing the gorge with bow and arrows to protect him and the remaining members of the group. Ed faces a challenging decision—he must shoot the man on the cliff or be shot himself. Though his hand shakes as it did when he aimed at a deer, Ed's aim is true when it counts. This moment changes him, as he realizes that the choice he made was dependent only on his inner strength, just like it was with the deer.

While

pursuing advertising in his Atlanta home, Ed is haunted by the realization of the unsettling aspects of being human and the weight carried by individuals. Facing death head-on, he has become a rugged survivor, distancing himself from the city and even his former comrades. Meanwhile, Lewis has suffered defeat from another force, leaving him dependent on the assistance of his companions despite being the strongest of them all.

Nature has proven victorious over Lewis, who faces the challenge of relinquishing his leadership role and requesting assistance from others. The experience has altered Lewis' position within the group, as he recognizes that he can no longer lead and must now follow due to the power of the river.

Lewis saw following as a loss. "September 16" helped Ed regain his sense of self. Going upstairs to sleep, Ed no longer merged with any form of awareness or entity; only reality remained. In "After," Ed maintains a link to the river and outdoor living as he returns to city life. Eventually, Ed and his wife buy a cabin by a lake, with Lewis as their neighbor.

Bobby, a struggling businessman, moves to Hawaii. Ed, who doesn't know Bobby well, comments on his perceived unproductiveness and loudness that bothered him. Dickey notes that Ed and Lewis have gained clarity and insight. Together, these four men inspire a powerful message about overcoming adversity. One possible interpretation is that humans can overcome difficult challenges with resilience.

Experiences in life can leave enduring imprints on people and form memories that last. Acknowledging that the world is not always positive and cheerful is crucial, as society requires a distinction between good and

bad. While this contrast may produce negativity, it can also have constructive outcomes. Society necessitates stratification with individuals carrying out different roles; nevertheless, this stratification may cause anguish for some within various tiers.

The novel explores a delicate topic that offers valuable life lessons. It teaches us that mistakes should not be seen as failures but as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every lesson, whether it is painful or uplifting, helps us develop individually and spiritually. The four male characters, who survived the "Rights of Passage" journey, traveled from their homes to the wilderness and back again, similarly to how the river in the story transitioned from calm to turbulent rapids, and then back to calm at the dam. Through this journey, each character lost their innocence but gained strength from the powerful river.

The citation titled "Works Cited" by P. E. Barnett has no specified date.

Calhoun (1987) discusses whether James Dickey's Deliverance represents a desirable or terrifying scenario for Southern, white, suburban men. The source for this discussion is "Forum for Modern Language Studies," accessed on October 18, 2007, available at http://fmls.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/40/2/145.

The Bio-Bibliographical Sourcebook "Fifty Southern Writers After 1900" by R.J. Calhoun includes information about James Dickey. He was born in 1923 and is one of the featured writers in the book.

The text within is "136-146). Westport, CT: Greenwood. Kellman, S. G."

(September 1994). Masterplots II: American Fiction Series, Vol. 5 includes a summary of Deliverance.

Salem Pr Inc. Snider, D. C. (2000, January 8). Retrieved on November 2, 2007 from James Dickey's Deliverance: An American Journey from Innocence to Experience.

Thomson Gale, a.p., can be found at csulb.edu/~csnider/dickey.deliverance.html.The biography of James Dickey was retrieved

from the Encyclopedia of World Biography on October 20, 2007, as indicated by the surrounding the citation. The source of the information is bookrags.com.