Essay on Broken Ground by Jack Hodgins
In Jack Hodgins latest novel, Broken Ground, the inhabitants of the small forest community of Portuguese Creek are deeply affected by its extreme conditions. Matthew Pearson, a local farmer and former soldier, has his life utterly transformed from living in Portuguese Creek. For Tanner Pearson, Matthew's ten year old son, living in Portuguese Creek has nothing but negative consequences. Lastly, Charlie MacKintosh, Tanner's friend, is adversely affected by his time spent in the harsh wilderness of the settlement. Portuguese Creek touches the lives of all who dwell within its untamed heart. Matthew Pearson is a typical farmer in the wild soldier's settlement of Portuguese Creek, who, like many others, becomes involved in some atypical events. He comes to the settlement with his wife, Maude, whom he marries shortly after the first World War , and fathers two children. He, like many others, is filled with both awe and terror toward the land he is expected to settle, as is proven when he states that When [he] first set eyes on [the] logged-off stretch of second-growth timber [he was] expected to turn into [a farm], [he was] shaken with the extravagant beauty of the green Pacific world. Snow-peaked mountains, thick underbrush
The cruel environment that Portuguese Creek has to offer changes the lives of all those who are around it. It is ironic that he chooses to live in the same environment that ruined his life. He suffers just as much, if not more, than the other villagers in Portuguese Creek, but never lets it get to him. If [Charlie] tell[s] anyone else, [he will] kill [him]. Dad's goodness was still around if [one] looked for it. His psychological problems continue to worsen, to the point where he runs away from home and lives alone in the forest. The major factor effecting his future development is witnessing the death of his sister, Elizabeth, in the forest fire. In the first chapter he and his father go off on a routine "stumping" quest in the forest (stumping is the term used to describe the blowing up of tree stumps with dynamite in order to clear the land), and his father is obliterated by his own explosives while Charlie watches in horror. The first traumatic event in his life is the death of his friend's father whhile trying to destroy a tree stump using dynamite. In the second chapter he reflects on his father's life, recalling that [His] dad never hurt a thing. Goodness was something that couldn't be killed. Charlie MacKintosh, though just as affected by his surroundings as Matthew Pearson and his son, turns the tragedy in his life into something positive. That's why he hadn't really left [Charlie, his] Mother said.
Common topics in this essay:
World War,
Portuguese Creek,
P230 Tanner,
Elizabeth Matthew,
Tanner Charlie,
Matthew Pearson,
P182 Matthew,
Charlie Mackinaw,
Tanner Pearson's,
Mother Goodness,
portuguese creek,
matthew pearson,
book 1,
book 1 chapter,
1 chapter,
settlement portuguese creek,
charlie mackintosh,
book 3,
chapter 2,
charlie wasn't,
living portuguese,
book 3 chapter,
living portuguese creek,
wife son,
|
Acceptance Essays
