Cold Mountain

The novel explores the experience of loneliness. How do different characters wrestle with loneliness and isolation in an emotional, social, and/or political sense?

Examine the role of the Home Guard (See: Background) in the novel. How are the members and behavior of the Home Guard depicted? How do these men contribute to some of the text’s key themes and ideas?

Analyze the gender dynamics in Cold Mountain. How does the text reflect the traditional gender roles and expectations of the time? In what ways do the characters fulfill or subvert these roles?

How does the novel portray the nature of war? How does the novel examine the contrasts between the heroic myths of war and the reality of war?

Cold Mountain is a constant presence in the lives of so many characters. How do they relate differently to the mountain? To what extent does the mountain function as both a setting and as a character in its own right?

Violence is ever-present in the narrative. How does the violence away from the battlefield reflect the wider pressures of a country and society during wartime? In what ways are the violent struggles faced by civilians and soldiers similar?

Friendship and human compassion are lifelines for several of the characters. How does the novel explore the nature of community and interpersonal connection?

Inman, Ada, Ruby, Sara, and other characters often deal with traumatic circumstances. What forms of trauma appear in the novel? How do the characters respond to trauma, and in what ways are their responses different or similar?