Comparing James Dickeys Deliverance and Fog envelops the Animals :: Compare Contrast Comparison

Comparing James Dickey's Deliverance and "Fog envelops the Animals" Deliverance and "Fog envelops the Animals" by James Dickey are closely associated to each other in their themes. In pages 93-99 of Deliverance, Ed is in the midst of a heavy fog and decides to go hunting. At first one can easily point out that Ed is not really into the whole idea of hunting, as we might say Lewis is, yet, in a matter of moments, hunting becomes very serious to him. He has trouble walking through this fog, which is blinding him from anything within arm's reach. Still, he is able to perceive a small deer, feel its presence, and make out its figure. Since Ed now has a newfound asset to himself --invisibility by fog-- he feels more secure of himself and feels that he can kill if the chance arises. He concentrates on getting as close as possible without being noticed. Ed then decides he is ready as he will ever be. Yet, the moment he shoots his arrow he feels that he jerks upward. He immediately realizes that he is going to miss. Indeed, he does miss the shot, yet he wastes another arrow, knowing the second shot is pointless for the deer is now running. "Fog Envelops the Animals" is similar to this particular scene in Deliverance. The fog is the center of focus in both of these passages, the deciding variable that will either protect and envelop the animal from its predator, or expose it, and leave it open to the hunter. If there were no fog, it is likely that Ed would have successfully shot the deer. One can argue that Ed missing the shot is a result of his lack of seriousness towards hunting or the fact that he isn't well prepared or experienced in this field, but then the idea of including the fog would have no importance. In this case the fog becomes the only means of salvation of Ed's manly pride, of proving that he could also be a hunter as Lewis is. The fog also happens to be a means of protection by chance. It is luck that Ed wakes up and there is fog that urges him to hunt. "Fog Envelops the Animals" explores the same idea that fog hides. Fog envelops the animals. Not one can be seen, and they live.