How does the writer structure the essay and to what effect? (Why does it begin where it does? Why does it end with the image or scene the writer chooses? Is it a linear narrative? Or is it fragmented?)
Abbey starts the essay off with a vivid description of his job and day-to-day life as a park ranger. He explains when his workweek starts, what he does during those workweeks, and what he does during his off days. I think he starts off the essay with this description to personalize himself and his stance and make people feel more understanding of him. All seems well for Edward Abbey until road surveyors come to his place and explain to him the industrialization of national landmarks. This is where it gets more technical and somewhat cynical of the government funded pursuit of making the national forests and monuments more accessible to people. He goes into how he feels about the situation and about what other national monuments have been defaced for tourist attraction. He then ends the essay back in his present time where he ends on a humorous note of “sticking it to the man” by getting rid of the road markers and hiding them. I think he did this as another way to personalize the issue and to be funny. Edward Abbey has been known for his humor and I think that’s where he wanted to leave off with the essay.
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