Atchafalaya+KL


 * "Atchafalaya" by John McPhee is about a river; McPhee explains how there is a strange relationship between a river and “adjacent terrain”. Throughout this article the river is examined and McPhee writes about the geographical order. Two men are described one being the narrator, and the other called the “Lockmaster” his real name being Norris F.Rabalais, McPhee uses colours to explain certain aspects of what they are wearing. The Lockmaster is discussing navigation locks and how they were used to lower ships. The narrator is telling his story of when he first met Rabalais, he discusses how there was no such thing as a navigation lock when he was a child. He explains how a navigation lock was used to lower ships from the Mississippi and how “water just poured out, boats with it, and flowed on into a distributary waterscape known as Atchafalaya” (1). Throughout this article one grasps the strong meaning of nature, how McPhee presents the image throughout is very descriptive, diverse and full of knowledge. Throughout the article readers comes to the realization how man destructs nature once again.

I find it interesting that from time to time, John McPhee correlates his articles with the environment and discusses it deeply to his readers. I feel as though the way McPhee expresses it through his writing makes me want to read more. Personally I care about the environment, but I would call it (hardcore) but after I read McPhees articles that focus on it, he somewhat makes me care more. I know it horrible to say, but its the truth. -- Kayla Lawrence **