Study Guide for Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain

Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain is a critically acclaimed novel that tells the story of Inman, a Confederate soldier, and Ada, a young woman who is left alone on her farm during the Civil War. The novel is set in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia, and it explores themes of love, loss, and survival.

The novel was published in 1997 and won the National Book Award for Fiction. It has also been adapted into a major motion picture starring Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.

Study Guide for Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Carolyn Keene

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1053 KB
Print length	:	100 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Characters

Inman: A Confederate soldier who deserts the army after he learns that his father has died and his family's farm is being threatened by Union soldiers.
Ada: A young woman who is left alone on her farm during the Civil War. She is forced to learn how to survive on her own and to protect her property from raiders.
Ruby: Ada's mute sister. She is a strong and resourceful woman who helps Ada to survive on the farm.
Reverend Monroe: A Methodist minister who helps Inman on his journey back to Cold Mountain.
Teague: A ruthless Union soldier who is determined to capture Inman.

Plot Summary

The novel begins in the spring of 1864, as Inman is fighting in the Battle of Cold Harbor. The battle is a disaster for the Confederates, and Inman is forced to retreat. As he is walking home, Inman learns that his father has died and that his family's farm is being threatened by Union soldiers.

Inman decides to desert the army and return to his family. He travels through the war-torn countryside, scavenging for food and shelter. Along the way, he meets Reverend Monroe, who helps him on his journey.

Meanwhile, Ada is struggling to survive on the farm. She is forced to learn how to do everything for herself, from planting crops to repairing the barn. She is also constantly harassed by Union soldiers, who are determined to steal her food and animals.

Inman and Ada eventually meet up, and they begin to build a life together on the farm. However, their happiness is short-lived. Teague, the Union soldier who is determined to capture Inman, tracks him down and kills him.

Ada is devastated by Inman's death, but she is determined to continue living. She raises Inman's son, and she teaches him about the importance of love, loss, and survival.

Themes

Cold Mountain is a novel that explores a wide range of themes, including:

Love: The novel explores the power of love to sustain people through difficult times. Inman and Ada's love for each other helps them to overcome the challenges of war and separation.
Loss: The novel also explores the pain of loss. Inman's death is a devastating blow to Ada, but she is able to find strength in her memories of him.
Survival: The novel explores the human capacity for survival. Both Inman and Ada are forced to learn how to survive in a hostile world. They are able to do so through their own strength and resilience, as well as the help of others.
Nature: The novel is set in the beautiful but unforgiving Great Smoky Mountains. The mountains provide a backdrop for the story and also play a role in the characters' lives.
History: The novel is set against the backdrop of the Civil War. The war has a profound impact on the characters' lives, and it also provides a context for the story's themes.

Critical Reception

Cold Mountain was a critical and commercial success. The novel won the National Book Award for Fiction and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. It was also adapted into a major motion picture starring Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.

Critics praised the novel for its beautiful prose, its well-developed characters, and its powerful themes. The novel has been compared to the works of Cormac McCarthy and Toni Morrison.