Symbolism In Cold Mountain

Cold Mountain is not only a love story, but also a great American tribute to the everlasting side effects the war had on its soldiers. Although the novel doesn’t tell a true story, it represents much more than just a quick read that happens to have a historic background. Like any other author, Charles Frazier uses the undertones and downfalls of a country divided in two to portray the lasting consequences both sides will eventually face. The story is told in the two main character’s points of view. The stories of each start off separate, but throughout the novel, are worked into one and will ultimately lead to one the main character’s death.
The first main character presented is a Confederate soldier Inman. Inman, as previously stated, is a Confederate soldier who in the opening chapter is introduced with a war wound and escapes from the hospital in order to travel from present day Virginia to North Carolina to ask his lover, Ada, for her hand in marriage. Throughout the book, Inman faces not only his own persecutions, but the perils of other souls that have also found themselves hardened by the efforts of the war. He
The biggest symbolism is the crow. As reappearing character, is it symbolized in the beginning of the novel as a sign of sin and destruction. Inman strongly characterizes himself around the crow and even at one point, wishes to be one. He is envious of the freedom and independence the crow has, while he is stuck in a society burdened with painful memories that will only be resolved by death. Ada identifies with it though through the crow’s ability to survive and adapt in the wilderness. She can relate to the bird, as it too faces troubling times but manages to struggle through them and come out on top. The crow symbolizes all throughout the book, the choices Inman faces between reality and his conscience. The crow demonstrates the discerning troubles that man faces within his