Beginning of Essay
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 Portug ....

Middle of Essay
.... 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 high as [his] waist, and salt water so close [he] could smell it. But... [he was] scared off right away by the unexpected. Forest fires, mountain lions, and rain. (Book 1 Chapter 2 P.17) The harshness of his surroundings also has adverse effects on his sanity. At some points he loses touch with reality and is thrown into a memory of the war. Every time it is caused by either the absolute beauty, or terrible viciousness of nature. In chapter thirteen ....