Themes

The central theme running all through A Walk in the Woods is the difference between two completely different worlds: the civilized world of home and and the wild world of the untamed wilderness. Bryson realizes that America has vast woods in which an individual can be lost or killed and point out the danger of hiking alone in the woods. Another interesting aspect is how Bryson becomes very attached to his traveling companion and the hikers who he he meets. The hardships of of the trail with its isolation and depravation make all hikers more kind and giving. There is a sense of solidarity among hikers. Bryson describes many individuals who make personal sacrifices to help another hiker. Bryson's offers detailed information about the trail's history, its geological and zoological data, and the nature of the wildlife that surrounds it. Bryson goes into detail on the history of men and women who dedicated large portions of their life to its foundation. The trail started as one man's vision, but it could be neither completed nor maintained without tireless labor on the part of people driven by their dedication to the AT. Their tirelessness impresses Bryson and restores his faith in the goodness and work ethic of American people.