A Rural Journey
Alvin Straight takes his journey from Iowa all the way to Wisconsin on a riding lawnmower! His journey is unlike the others that we have seen this semester. He travels alone through the rural midwest to meet up with his brother whom he wants to make amends with after he suffered from a stroke. Along the way he meets many people, all of which he makes an impact on. His journey is not to leave behind anything or anyone; it is about becoming a new person and teaching and impacting people along the way. His experiences and ideas give others a new insight on life and choices. He meets a teenager who runs away from home because she is pregnant. He shows her that family will always be there for you in the end and eventually she returns home. Also, Alvin meets a group of young people trvaling by bike. He says to them that remembering when you were young is the worst part of being old. However, Alvin proves that he can stil be spontaneous and 'young' by traveling so far with so little. Alvin opens up to another man who fought in the same war he had many years ago. He tells him things he have not told anyone since the war. He continues to learn more and more about himself as the road of filled with cornfields continues on toward his borhter. The road is very promising and self-rewarding as it does not allow for many distractions. The road gives him room to grow as a person and encourages him on throughout his journey.