Cold Mountain Allusions & Cultural References

When authors refer to other great works, people, and events, it’s usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary and Philosophical References

  • Homer, the Odyssey: The entire plot of this book is one big Homer shout-out, folks
  • William Bartram, Bartram's Travels: Inman's only reading material in most of the book is Bartram's Travels, a book by a naturalist about traveling around the American South and studying nature
  • Ovid, Baucis, and Philemon, from Metamorphoses

Historical References