Waiting for the Morning Train free essay sample

Waiting for the Morning Train Waiting for the Morning train K. F. FSU History 230 3-25-12 Waiting for the Morning Train by Bruce Catton Bruce Catton is a name that has become synonymous with history enthusiasts but he has also made his own niche on the literary front with books like â€Å"Waiting for the morning train†. The novel recounts the author’s childhood in Benzonia, Michigan that had been described by the author as â€Å"a good place to wait for the morning train† (Ch. 2, p. 39). This memoir highlights Catton’s hometown’s transition in to the 20th century that saw the emergence of rapid technological changes that was deemed as frightening by the author while the rest of the world was on the brink of war. This is in fact an interesting piece of literature that was produced by the Bruce Catton, unlike his usual commentary on the American Civil War; his novel captures the sentiments of a young man coming of age and incorporates a strong nostalgic component that has become a major part of the American life (Ch. We will write a custom essay sample on Waiting for the Morning Train or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 1, p. 246). Having been a part of an era, where the aftermath of the war still reverberated throughout the nation and for the author, Catton, those were the stories that he had grown up listening to in rural Michigan. This is the first time that Bruce Catton has actually expressed his sentiments regarding the constantly evolving American society. From the wars between the states to the technological advancements’ in his hometown, there are no overt biases established by the author himself; however, upon greater examination of the prose there are some literary tools employed by Catton that does give rise to many questions. As mentioned earlier, the novel uses the start of the 20th Century as its backdrop that laid down the foundations for further development in the 21st century that often ‘bemused, excited and disgusted’ Catton recounted by his son. This creates significant amounts of doubts regarding Catton’s own stance when it comes to progression. Throughout his narration in the novel, Catton’s stylized manner of writing gives a distinct idea to its readers that he is averse to change and this is quite ostensible especially with his overt distaste of how technology was changing his surroundings especially the wilderness and other natural habitat in the state. In the text, Catton often referred to the changes as â€Å"technological juggernaut†, a change that was clearly unwelcomed by him and was ruthlessly altering the place that he had so many fond memories of. The morning train can also be assumed as a metaphor for the journey of life that the author embarked upon but with the night train you return to where you belong and as much as you hate it the changes must be accepted as nothing lasts forever. However, through Catton’s immaculate style of writing he makes some remarkable comments on the natural beauty of his hometown but leaves some doubts about the advancements and induces a feeling of uneasiness that really drives an individual to question the merits of these technical. Catton being a man of history and an individual, who has produced some interesting facts about American history and lifestyle, may have made a lopsided argument and failed to recognize the new opportunities and benefits of this progression would bring about in the society. In the end, the author reluctantly accepts the evolving society as the reader finally reaches the last chapter titled â€Å"Night train† that brought him from the academy back to where he belong in Michigan, though the city had changed immensely and this was only seen as yet another casualties of the commencement of ‘modern times’. Catton writing style is truly refreshing and gives you the taste of rural life through the text that further describes the merriment and simplicity that were a part of it. He has incorporated some very important philosophical elements in his and unlike the objective analysis done in other literature by Catton, ‘Waiting for the morning train’ is an insight in to the author’s personal beliefs and fears, and the wait signifies his yearning for old times and preservation of all the Reference memories he had of his childhood in Benzonia, Michigan where ‘something was always going on’ (Ch 2, p. 39) Reference Catton, B. (1987). â€Å"Waiting for the Morning train: An American boyhood†. Michigan: Wayne State University Press.