I think undoubtedly, Roughing
It, demonstrates the concept of Americans treating the highway as “sacred
space.” Although, the time period in which Mark Twain is writing falls before the
use of the interstate system, there are still similarities between the two. I
believe that any use of mass transit to escape the everyday hassle of one’s
life, regardless of the time period, all have some of the same underlying
factors. We all decide to travel for one reason or another. The reasoning may
have slightly changed over time, however, whether one’s journey begins because
of overall boredom of one’s life, the idea of a better life elsewhere, or the
exploration of new land; they all are rooted with the need of escape.
Twain describes his travels as “several years of variegated vagabondizing.”
I find this statement to be so enticing. To be able to endlessly travel without
an exact end location seems rich in knowledge and experience. I think this most
holds true to the storyline behind Roughing
It, for Twain is taking the newly founded Railroad. There really wasn't an
exact location of stopping, other than the generalized destination of the west.
This can directly be related to travel by interstate. If one felt the need and
desire to getaway, he or she could simply hop in a car and just drive with no
general destination, simply direction; north, east, south, or west.
Personally, there is something so freeing about driving. You
are not only physically separating yourself from the current blasé flow of
life, but you are mentally journeying. There is something enthralling about buckling
up for a road trip. To physically being able to look in the rearview mirror and
see distance growing between you and the known is an emancipation in a sense. I think Primeau nails it when he talks of
solitude. When I’m indulging in moments of solitude is when I dive deeply into
my own thoughts and visions of the world.
However, that doesn’t mean the road trips that I’ve taken
with others haven’t provided me with the same sense of fuel. Driving from Las
Vegas to Salt Lake City was one of my favorite drives. The color story was enough
stimuli to inspire me for months. Being able to experience that with someone
else is special. To know that you and only one other person will recall the moments
spent in that car is remarkable to think about. Just two in a world of billion.
Your use of Primeau's text is particularly useful, ZG. As you note, travel writing offers a way to validate simply getting in the car and driving, that quintessential American pastime...
ReplyDeleteIn your third paragraph you hit the nail right on the head. there is something about just going for a drive. It frees up your mind so much that you sometimes forget that you're even driving. I also like how you compared Twain's writing about no general location but the west with simply hopping in a car and just going somewhere that you don't even know about.
ReplyDeleteBrody,
ReplyDeleteI think you captured the true purpose of traveling well and especially the importance of the interstate system and the reasons we travel. You also chose a great part of Twain to focus on. However, it was your beautiful last two paragraphs that I particularly enjoyed and that made me just want to go on a long drive. You capture the feelings that come with driving in a way that shows your reflection and is very profound. I think you described the great experience of driving and essence of both driving by yourself and with a group of people. I like that you added your own personal experience of driving and your continual focus on color as you drive is amazing.