Cold Mountain is set in a time of violence, when human life and dignity were held in slight regard by certain sections of society. Discuss how Frazier has contrasted his characters, some as victims and some as perpetrators of violence.

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Musonda Malama

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Cold Mountain is set in a time of violence, when human life and dignity were held in slight regard by certain sections of society. Discuss how Frazier has contrasted his characters, some as victims and some as perpetrators of violence.

‘Cold Mountain’ is set in a time of violence and war. It is set during the American civil war in the mid 19th century. The war was between the north and the south. The north did not see much use for slaves as it was an industrial part hence it suggested the end of slavery. The south, whose wealth came from cultivation of the land needed a huge work force hence they saw the need for slaves. The war was meant to end human suffering yet ironically it imposes suffering on innocent people like Sarah and her baby. In this essay, I will discuss how Frazier has created a contrast between the characters that fall victim to war and the characters that perpetuate violence.

Ada and Inman, the main characters of the novel have been separated by the war. It is Inman who suffers from the psycho trauma of seeing his work mates killed in the war. He has been subjected to so much inhumanity. He witnesses the further atrocities that are described in detail, such as the soldier systematically hammering the heads of the heads of the fallen federal soldiers and no one try to stop him. The man doing this “whistles, almost under his breathe a tune by Cora Ellen”. This shows just how much the war has changed the people. This man is acting like what he is doing is an everyday thing, and there is nothing wrong with it. Yet to the reader this creates an incongruence image to show just how inhuman this act is. This is human life which is being treated like animals.  

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Ruby is a victim of the war as her father leaves to go and fight in the war. This however does make her more self-reliant and appreciative of what she’s got. As much as being a victim, Frazier presents her as a confident person who is at ease with herself. There is a great contrast between Ruby and Ada’s characters. Ruby has risen from being a victim to being in control, while Ada remains a victim until she meets Ruby who helps her embrace both pain and happiness as the novel goes on. Ada learns to trust herself and ...

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