Cold Mountain Essay, Research Paper

Ada & Inman

Difference, and similarities are the things that make relationships interesting.

Having different points of view, different believe keeps the people involve in relationships busy

trying to learn a little bit from each other. In relationships similarities are used as a balance.

Similarities keep the relationship from being all disagreement. Having similar goals, hobby,

interest keep the relationship healthy. In the novel Cold Mountain the author Charles Frazier

portraits two characters Ada and Inman, that have both differences and similarities which

enhances their relationship in to a balance more interesting one.

Ada and Inman are the main characters of the novel. This two characters have

many differences in their life. The first difference came in their childhood. Ada as a child was a

responsible student that strobe for academic excellence. In the other hand the only knowledge

given by the author of Inman in school is when he drop out of it because he was afraid for a

punishment his teacher was going to enforce upon him, because he threw his hat out the window

(pg5). The second major difference comes in the form of Cold Mountain. This place is seen by

Inman as a beautiful place he can go to forget, relax, and to be reborn. He believe this thanks to

his Indian friend Swimmer who tells Inman that Cold Mountain is the closes thing to the heavens

(pg19). Adas view of Cold Mountain is on the opposite side of the spectrum. Adas sees Cold

Mountain as ? Visible moisture- light haze, dense valley fogs, tatters of cloud hanging like rags on

the shoulders of Cold Mountain? (pg35). The third major difference is found the way they feel

about small town life. Ada comes form city life. She lived in Charleston before moving to the

country there for she had a view of the country that was not in the positive side (pg53). In the

other hand Inman sees the country as his home. A place were every body is kind and peaceful. He

is deeply attach to his small town life. But not everything where differences between the

characters of Ada and Inman.

There were also some similarities between them. The first similarity is found in

their believe of the supernatural. Their characters both see superstition as a last resort for hope.

Ada sees a man coming to town in a reflection in a well (pg49), this image she believe is the image

of the person that?s going to solve her problems. Inman?s supernatural believe is the hope that

Cold Mountain is a magical place were he can be reborn (pg23). They also agree in the thought

that they need some one to help them continue their life. they need companion ship and some to

express their feelings and believe to. One of the major points of the novel is the believe that nature

is a the perfect shelter to protect them self from harm (pg66). In Ada?s case from the harm of

public opinion, and in Inman?s case from the harm of war. This couple have well balance

characteristics. They both agree on some and disagree on others.

Through out history, the most common problem that couples face has been just plain

boredom. This leads to infidelity because the spause is looking to fill the hole the partner leave

open in the relationship. To avoid boredom a couple should have a balance, well rounded

relationship. And to achieve balance the most important factors that should be present are

similarity, and deference. Something that the main characters of this novel have in perfect in

perfect harmony.