In a paper consisting of five pages the novel's themes of growth and personal achievement are discussed with the emphasis on the character of Ed. Seven sources are cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: JL5_JLdickey.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
In James Dickeys Deliverance, he explores a number
of themes related to the concept of masculinity, the gaining of maturity through experience, and the ideologies of male bonding and liminal gender. Of the four protagonists, all of which
bring different preconceptions and expectations to the journey through the wilderness, it is Ed who best represents the way in which the experience allows him to achieve personal growth, a
greater understanding of his own capabilities, and ultimately deliverance from what could be construed as a former life.
At the beginning of the novel, Ed appears to be the one who
is least likely to take control of the expedition or to gain the greatest benefit from it. He is presented in contrast to Lewis: Ed is not particularly strong or
well-built, whereas Lewis is the kind of individual who sets great store by physical strength and fitness.
The four men are tackling the wilderness, in the form of a river in North Georgia, and
it is Lewis who has persuaded the others that this will be an enjoyable adventure. Ed is, in effect, content to follow Lewiss lead: he does not consider himself to
have leadership qualities or any particular competence in woodsmanship or hunting, but he admires Lewis and sees him as someone who will have the ability to take charge and ensure