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The Lost Continent as an Epic

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Lost Continent as an Epic What makes a story an epic? In the book, The Lost Continent written by Bill Bryson, Bill travels across the continent of North America starting in his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. Bill Bryson explores each region of the North American continent from north to south and east to west. While traveling Bill Bryson is in search of a perfect small town. The Lost Continent is a journey traveling across North America with Bill Bryson as the hero and New England as the underworld and Bryson is trying to find his perfect small town to make his story a true epic. Bill Bryson takes on his journey while traveling across North America to find his perfect small town that preserves, restores, rich, and white. Bill Bryson was …show more content…

Bryson lets us know by him not defending the state he feels guilty as a hero would for not being defensive like he should. Bryson is also a hero for being immortal. Bryson states, "In fact, to tell you the truth, I don 't intend to ever die" (222). Bryson lets us know that he is the hero for becoming immortal and he will never die. Bryson becomes the hero through is journey across the continent of North America. It is important to Bill Bryson to find his perfect small town. While Bill Bryson is on his journey he finds places that came close to being the perfect small town, but they never feel, as they should be the perfect small town to him. While traveling Bryson feels as though he never belongs to the places that he feels should be the perfect small town. Bryson expresses, "I belonged" (196). Once Bryson returns home he finally feels as though he belongs, and all this time his perfect small town was right in front of him. When Bryson arrives back in Iowa he finally feels home. Bryson states, "On the far bank, about a mile away, was Iowa. Home." (196). Once Bryson takes his journey across North America and see different small towns he feels as though his small town of Iowa is home to him and now he belongs. When Bryson returns to Iowa his feelings change toward Iowa. Bryson comments, "I actually felt my heart quicken, I was home" (196). Bryson reconsiders

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