When Lou and Oz lose their father (to death) and mother (to concussion) in a car accident they are taken to their great-grandmother Louisa Mae Cardinal’s farm in the mountain country of Virginia in the 1940s. As Lou and Oz adjust to the new lifestyle they learn about the hardships and wonders of mountain life, the prejudices of some (racial and otherwise), and the capitalist systems that greedily seek out and destroy the land for the rich resources found therein.
It is a story about growing up. The main focus is on Lou who steadily grows in her ability to work, to understand the world, and to adapt to the new people and circumstances in which she lives. In the middle of these growths, there is the question between her and the other characters …show more content…
After his parents died he refused to be a part of anyone else’s system. He is full of folk wisdom and delights in sharing it with others. An example of his storytelling is when Diamond says, “Shoot, that ain’t nuthin’. Bear chased me ’cross that tree one time and I had Jeb and a sack of flour on my back. And it were nighttime too. And the rain was pouring so hard God must’ve been bawling ’bout somethin’. Couldn’t see a durn thing. Why, I almost fell twice.” Diamond very much enjoys sharing stories and his insight with others. However, the reason why Diamond stood out is because of his delivery of what he shares and how he is able to give the reader a laugh. A very much appreciated moment of laughter is when Diamond says, “See, that why I ain’t go to church. Figger I got me a church wherever I be. Want’a talk to God, well I say, ‘howdy-howdy, God,’ and we jaw fer a bit.” Diamond’s delivery and humor come from his youthfulness, yet at the same time, his wisdom comes from his independent lifestyle and life experiences. A character as young as Diamond comes across as very intriguing because when Diamond shares his insight, it is both humorous and wise which is why he stood out from all of the other …show more content…
Social and economic poverty was prevalent in the southwest Virginia mountains of 1940. Southern Valley officials made the argument that the importance of preserving the mountains should not take precedence over using its resources to ensure economic prosperity for people. During the early part of the 20th century, industrialization claimed various American rural landscapes for the sake of economic gain and modernization. The novel makes a distinction between farmers on the mountain and those people making their living in the towns. This geographic grounding permeates the perspectives of the inhabitants in the story and finds them often at odds. As mining and collecting gas are major topics in the book readers will benefit from an increased understanding of the nature of these venture: the dangers to workers, the defacing of the land, and the economic positives and negatives for communities that adopt the work for a time. The hopes, dreams, and lifestyles of the characters are all defined by their relationship with the mountains that surround them. The mountains define the characters through the challenges it presents, through its harsh and good conditions, and by the love, the characters develop for the land that
It is a story about growing up. The main focus is on Lou who steadily grows in her ability to work, to understand the world, and to adapt to the new people and circumstances in which she lives. In the middle of these growths, there is the question between her and the other characters …show more content…
After his parents died he refused to be a part of anyone else’s system. He is full of folk wisdom and delights in sharing it with others. An example of his storytelling is when Diamond says, “Shoot, that ain’t nuthin’. Bear chased me ’cross that tree one time and I had Jeb and a sack of flour on my back. And it were nighttime too. And the rain was pouring so hard God must’ve been bawling ’bout somethin’. Couldn’t see a durn thing. Why, I almost fell twice.” Diamond very much enjoys sharing stories and his insight with others. However, the reason why Diamond stood out is because of his delivery of what he shares and how he is able to give the reader a laugh. A very much appreciated moment of laughter is when Diamond says, “See, that why I ain’t go to church. Figger I got me a church wherever I be. Want’a talk to God, well I say, ‘howdy-howdy, God,’ and we jaw fer a bit.” Diamond’s delivery and humor come from his youthfulness, yet at the same time, his wisdom comes from his independent lifestyle and life experiences. A character as young as Diamond comes across as very intriguing because when Diamond shares his insight, it is both humorous and wise which is why he stood out from all of the other …show more content…
Social and economic poverty was prevalent in the southwest Virginia mountains of 1940. Southern Valley officials made the argument that the importance of preserving the mountains should not take precedence over using its resources to ensure economic prosperity for people. During the early part of the 20th century, industrialization claimed various American rural landscapes for the sake of economic gain and modernization. The novel makes a distinction between farmers on the mountain and those people making their living in the towns. This geographic grounding permeates the perspectives of the inhabitants in the story and finds them often at odds. As mining and collecting gas are major topics in the book readers will benefit from an increased understanding of the nature of these venture: the dangers to workers, the defacing of the land, and the economic positives and negatives for communities that adopt the work for a time. The hopes, dreams, and lifestyles of the characters are all defined by their relationship with the mountains that surround them. The mountains define the characters through the challenges it presents, through its harsh and good conditions, and by the love, the characters develop for the land that