Final Independent Reading

A Walk in the Woods

By Bill Bryson

Part 1 of A Walk in the Woods describes the struggles and the adventures of Bryson and Kats as they take on the Appalachian Trail. They start at Springer Mountain in Georgia. When they reach Gatlinburg Bryson catches a glimpse of a minimized map of the trail, out of 4 feet of map they had only traversed 2 inches. This is the moment when they realize, they won’t be able to travel the whole way. So they choose to skip over a stretch and begin again in Virginia. Part 1 ends when they reach Front Royal, Virginia. In Part 2, Bryson and Kats part for the summer. Bryson spends much of the summer trying to keep up his momentum by walking day hikes and taking short camping trips in the Northeast section of the trail. In August, Bryson is reunited with Kats to brave the hundred Mile stretch in the wilderness of Maine. Each Chapter focuses on a specific event, a place (such as Gatlinburg), or a person they encounter (like Mary Ellen). This organization keeps up the momentum of the story which presents the factual narrations that might have been dull in a more interesting manner. The Hike through the Trail focuses mainly on the strikingly contrasting worlds that are located so closely. The woods that stand 2 miles from the car can be a scary and treacherous place, as well as an environment of peace and beauty. It is difficult for Bryson and Kats to adjust to this strange world, but when they leave that world they leave with a new perspective. The world of gas stations and K-marts are not so appealing, although it is much easier to adjust to the comfortable beds and Television. Through Bysons humorous language, his narrative style, and effective integration of facts he was able to remind us of the wonderful world that stands in our back yards and to nurture an awareness of how to be mindful of the extent of resources we take from it.