Change in Cold Mountain Jack Tatirosian 11th Grade

In the novel, Cold Mountain, by Charles Frazier, two main characters, Inman and Ida, endure intensive transformations in their time apart from each other, and Frazier entwines their two separate accounts of their journey. The novel is set in the Civil War era, and Inman is sent off to war, and while at war, endures the full brutality of the Civil War. This time was tough, especially for Confederate soldiers, of which Inman was a Confederate deserter, trying to make his way back to his loved one. Inman knew the South wasn’t winning the war, and his desertion exemplifies his acknowledgement of his dislike of the war. The author also embarks on making the story a sort of mock epic, in the way he uses comedy to change the effect of certain parts of the story. This comedic use in the novel takes away the story being a tragedy, as it downplays many of the actions and events that take place. Cold Mountain focuses primarily on the aspects of a journey and how people deal with change, conflict, choices, love and more to bring the overall theme of the transformation of character.

Throughout the novel, Inman’s time at war really changes him, as his mental and physical wounds begin to take a toll on him. He begins the story as a very...