Stephen_NP1 Wright_NP1 Critics_NN2 praise_VV0 Stephen_NP1 Wright_NP1 's_GE works_NN as_CSA dense_JJ ,_, complex_JJ ,_, and_CC disturbing_JJ looks_NN2 at_II contemporary_JJ American_JJ society_NN1 and_CC consciousness_NN1 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 Village_NN1 Voice_NN1 review_NN1 of_IO The_AT Amalgamation_NN1 Polka_NP1 (_( 2006_MC )_) Jason_NP1 McBride_NP1 wrote_VVD that_CST Wright_NP1 's_GE novels_NN2 share_VV0 an_AT1 image_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 nation_NN1 wherein_RRQ "_" self-invention_NN1 is_VBZ violently_RR entwined_VVN with_IW self-delusion_NN1 "_" (_( 24_MC February_NPM1 2006_MC )_) ._. 
Despite_II the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST Wright_NP1 's_GE novels_NN2 are_VBR sometimes_RT horrific_JJ and_CC disturbing_JJ ,_, they_PPHS2 are_VBR also_RR darkly_RR comic_JJ ._. 
Critics_NN2 have_VH0 labeled_VVN his_APPGE novels_NN2 satires_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 categorization_NN1 with_IW which_DDQ Wright_NP1 does_VDZ not_XX totally_RR agree_VVI ,_, though_CS as_CSA he_PPHS1 told_VVD Patrick_NP1 Ambrose_NP1 in_II an_AT1 interview_NN1 for_IF the_AT online_JJ magazine_NN1 The_AT Morning_NNT1 News_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 sees_VVZ his_APPGE works_NN as_CSA having_VHG a_AT1 satiric_JJ edge_NN1 and_CC that_CST they_PPHS2 "_" run_VV0 on_II anger_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT aspects_NN2 of_IO Wright_NP1 's_GE work_NN1 most_RRT commented_VVN upon_II by_II critics_NN2 are_VBR his_APPGE intense_JJ and_CC poetic_JJ language_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE imagery_NN1 ,_, the_AT beauty_NN1 of_IO which_DDQ often_RR serves_VVZ as_II a_AT1 sharp_JJ contrast_NN1 to_II the_AT subject_NN1 matter_NN1 ._. 
If_CS there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 recurring_JJ criticism_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE work_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ that_CST sometimes_RT Wright_NP1 fails_VVZ to_TO show_VVI enough_DD control_NN1 over_II the_AT most_RGT intensely_RR poetic_JJ aspects_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE work_NN1 ._. 
Wright_NP1 is_VBZ most_RGT often_RR compared_VVN to_II Don_NP1 DeLillo_NP1 for_IF the_AT style_NN1 and_CC the_AT intensity_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE writing_NN1 ,_, and_CC Thomas_NP1 Pynchon_NP1 for_IF his_APPGE dark_NN1 ,_, sometimes_RT wacky_JJ ,_, humor_NN1 and_CC subject_NN1 matter_NN1 ._. 
Stephen_NP1 Wright_NP1 was_VBDZ born_VVN in_II Ohio_NP1 on_II 17_MC August_NPM1 1946_MC and_CC raised_VVN in_II Cleveland_NP1 ._. 
As_CSA he_PPHS1 told_VVD Ambrose_NP1 ,_, while_CS returning_VVG from_II a_AT1 vacation_NN1 to_II Florida_NP1 as_II a_AT1 child_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE family_NN1 stopped_VVN at_II the_AT Antietam_NN1 battlefield_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ sparked_VVD in_II him_PPHO1 a_AT1 fascination_NN1 with_IW the_AT Civil_JJ War_NN1 that_CST would_VM manifest_VVI itself_PPX1 in_II The_AT Amalgamation_NN1 Polka_NP1 ._. 
After_CS high_JJ school_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 attended_VVD Ohio_NP1 State_NN1 University_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX do_VDI well_RR scholastically_RR ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ drafted_VVN into_II the_AT army_NN1 ._. 
At_II Fort_NP1 Campbell_NP1 ,_, Kentucky_NP1 ,_, Wright_NP1 signed_VVD up_RP for_IF an_AT1 extra_JJ year_NNT1 (_( becoming_VVG an_AT1 enlisted_VVN man_NN1 instead_II21 of_II22 a_AT1 draftee_NN1 )_) in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO avoid_VVI the_AT infantry_NN ._. 
Assigned_VVN to_II intelligence_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 served_VVD a_AT1 one-year_JJ tour_NN1 of_IO duty_NN1 at_II Phu_NP1 Bai_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 base_NN1 about_RG sixty_MC miles_NNU2 from_II the_AT Demilitarized_JJ Zone_NN1 between_II the_AT then_JJ North_ND1 and_CC South_NP1 Vietnam_NP1 ._. 
Wright_NP1 left_VVD the_AT army_NN1 after_II two_MC and_CC a_AT1 half_DB years_NNT2 to_TO return_VVI to_II school_NN1 ,_, and_CC after_II graduating_VVG from_II Ohio_NP1 State_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 entered_VVD the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Iowa_NP1 Writers_NN2 '_GE Workshop_NN1 ,_, where_CS John_NP1 Irving_NP1 was_VBDZ among_II his_APPGE instructors_NN2 ._. 
Since_II completing_VVG his_APPGE work_NN1 at_II Iowa_NP1 ,_, he_PPHS1 has_VHZ taught_VVN creative_JJ writing_NN1 at_II several_DA2 universities_NN2 ,_, including_II Brown_NP1 ,_, Princeton_NP1 ,_, and_CC The_AT New_JJ School_NN1 in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 ._. 
Winner_NN1 of_IO the_AT Maxwell_NP1 Perkins_NP1 Prize_NN1 ,_, the_AT darkly_RR comic_JJ Meditations_NN2 in_II Green_NP1 appeared_VVD in_II 1983_MC ._. 
The_AT work_NN1 grew_VVD out_II21 of_II22 Wright_NP1 's_GE experiences_NN2 in_II Vietnam_NP1 ;_; the_AT job_NN1 the_AT central_JJ character_NN1 James_NP1 Griffin_NP1 performs_VVZ is_VBZ the_AT same_DA one_PN1 that_CST Wright_NP1 had_VHD while_CS stationed_VVN there_RL ._. 
Named_VVN as_CSA one_MC1 of_IO the_AT best_JJT literary_JJ works_NN to_TO have_VHI come_VVN from_II the_AT Vietnam_NP1 War_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ often_RR taught_VVN ._. 
Because_II21 of_II22 the_AT dark_JJ humor_NN1 ,_, the_AT novel_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN often_RR compared_VVN to_II Joseph_NP1 Heller_NP1 's_GE Catch-22_NN1 (_( 1961_MC )_) ,_, but_CCB the_AT similarities_NN2 are_VBR few_DA2 ._. 
Although_CS Meditations_NN2 in_II Green_NP1 criticizes_VVZ the_AT horror_NN1 of_IO war_NN1 ,_, Wright_NP1 does_VDZ not_XX ignore_VVI the_AT beauty_NN1 and_CC exhilaration_NN1 that_CST those_DD2 participating_VVG sometimes_RT experience_VV0 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, his_APPGE description_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 nocturnal_JJ firefight_NN1 when_CS observed_VVN from_II a_AT1 distance_NN1 ,_, with_IW the_AT tracer_NN1 rounds_NN2 and_CC flares_NN2 ,_, takes_VVZ on_RP the_AT feel_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 benign_JJ light_JJ show_NN1 ._. 
Along_II21 with_II22 the_AT beauty_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, comes_VVZ Griffin_NP1 's_GE realization_NN1 that_CST at_II any_DD moment_NN1 he_PPHS1 could_VM switch_VVI from_II spectator_NN1 to_II participant_NN1 ._. 
Set_VV0 as_CSA it_PPH1 is_VBZ in_II the_AT latter_DA years_NNT2 of_IO U.S._NP1 involvement_NN1 ,_, the_AT novel_NN1 portrays_VVZ the_AT dissipated_JJ morale_NN1 and_CC diminished_JJ sense_NN1 of_IO mission_NN1 among_II the_AT troops_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ the_AT commanders_NN2 fail_VV0 to_TO understand_VVI ._. 
Wright_NP1 also_RR deals_VVZ with_IW racial_JJ tensions_NN2 and_CC drug_NN1 use_VV0 that_CST result_VV0 ;_; by_II the_AT time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 is_VBZ wounded_VVN ,_, Griffin_NP1 has_VHZ become_VVN a_AT1 heroin_NN1 user_NN1 ._. 
There_EX is_VBZ the_AT sense_NN1 that_CST the_AT novel_NN1 carries_VVZ on_RP a_AT1 dialogue_NN1 with_IW popular_JJ images_NN2 of_IO war_NN1 that_CST affect_VV0 soldiers_NN2 '_GE expectations_NN2 ._. 
When_CS a_AT1 new_JJ man_NN1 ,_, Claypool_NP1 ,_, appears_VVZ ,_, Griffin_NP1 imagines_VVZ a_AT1 scenario_NN1 based_VVN on_II a_AT1 generic_JJ Hollywood_NP1 movie_NN1 story_NN1 of_IO the_AT green_JJ recruit_NN1 ._. 
The_AT prose_NN1 style_NN1 ranges_VVZ from_II descriptive_JJ ,_, to_II hallucinogenic_JJ ,_, to_II poetic_JJ ._. 
The_AT fragmented_JJ novel_NN1 is_VBZ held_VVN together_RL by_II plant_NN1 imagery_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ among_II other_JJ aspects_NN2 ,_, references_NN2 defoliation_NN1 and_CC drugs_NN2 ._. 
The_AT green_NN1 of_IO the_AT title_NN1 refers_VVZ both_RR to_II plant_NN1 life_NN1 and_CC the_AT army_NN1 ._. 
Wright_NP1 's_GE next_MD novel_NN1 ,_, M31_FO :_: A_AT1 Family_NN1 Romance_NN1 ,_, appeared_VVD in_II 1988_MC and_CC received_VVD relatively_RR little_JJ attention_NN1 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR few_DA2 reviews_NN2 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 has_VHZ received_VVN no_AT scholarly_JJ attention_NN1 ._. 
The_AT reviews_NN2 it_PPH1 did_VDD receive_VVI ,_, however_RR ,_, were_VBDR positive_JJ ._. 
Set_VV0 amid_II the_AT cornfields_NN2 of_IO the_AT Midwest_NP1 ,_, it_PPH1 is_VBZ strange_JJ and_CC violent_JJ ,_, like_II Meditations_NN2 in_II Green_JJ ._. 
M31_FO is_VBZ the_AT most_RGT straightforward_JJ and_CC linearly_RR plotted_VVN of_IO Wright_NP1 's_GE novels_NN2 ._. 
The_AT title_NN1 refers_VVZ to_II the_AT Freudian_JJ concept_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 child_NN1 using_VVG the_AT fantasy_NN1 of_IO having_VHG been_VBN adopted_VVN to_II distance_NN1 himself_PPX1 from_II his_APPGE parents_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ the_AT case_NN1 with_IW Edsel_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 young_JJ boy_NN1 in_II the_AT novel_NN1 ,_, and_CC figuratively_RR so_RR with_IW his_APPGE parents_NN2 ,_, Dash_NN1 and_CC Dot_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS see_VV0 themselves_PPX2 as_CSA either_RR originating_VVG from_II a_AT1 planet_NN1 in_II the_AT M31_FO galaxy_NN1 or_CC having_VHG descended_VVN from_II its_APPGE inhabitants_NN2 ._. 
Earth_NN1 is_VBZ their_APPGE adopted_JJ home_NN1 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 are_VBR awaiting_VVG the_AT Occupants_NN2 in_II the_AT Mother_NN1 ship_NN1 to_TO return_VVI for_IF them_PPHO2 ._. 
Dash_VV0 and_CC Dot_NN1 's_GE names_NN2 are_VBR an_AT1 ironic_JJ indication_NN1 of_IO the_AT lack_NN1 of_IO communication_NN1 among_II characters_NN2 in_II the_AT novel_NN1 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 Laura_NP1 Miller_NP1 ,_, Wright_NP1 got_VVD the_AT idea_NN1 for_IF these_DD2 two_MC characters_NN2 after_II having_VHG written_VVN a_AT1 magazine_NN1 piece_NN1 on_II the_AT UFO_NN1 enthusiasts_NN2 who_PNQS later_RRR founded_VVD the_AT suicidal_JJ Heaven_NN1 's_GE Gate_NN1 cult_NN1 ._. 
Along_II21 with_II22 Edsel_NP1 ,_, Dash_NN1 and_CC Dot_NN1 have_VH0 three_MC other_JJ children_NN2 :_: Trinity_NP1 ,_, the_AT oldest_JJT daughter_NN1 ,_, runs_VVZ the_AT family_NN1 unit_NN1 in_II her_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE frequent_JJ absences_NN2 ;_; Dallas_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 teenage_JJ dropout_NN1 ,_, works_VVZ in_II a_AT1 slaughterhouse_NN1 ;_; and_CC Zoe_NP1 ,_, their_APPGE youngest_JJT ,_, has_VHZ no_AT verbal_JJ skills_NN2 and_CC is_VBZ prone_JJ to_II repetitive_JJ actions_NN2 and_CC screaming_VVG ._. 
Dash_NN1 believes_VVZ Zoe_NP1 's_GE episodes_NN2 are_VBR attempts_NN2 by_II the_AT Occupants_NN2 to_TO contact_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
Trinity_NP1 and_CC Dallas_NP1 often_RR treat_VV0 their_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE beliefs_NN2 sarcastically_RR or_CC ironically_RR ,_, but_CCB on_II the_AT whole_NN1 seem_VV0 poised_VVN between_II belief_NN1 and_CC disbelief_NN1 ._. 
Besides_II the_AT biological_JJ family_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, anorexic_JJ Marsye_NN1 and_CC her_APPGE baby_NN1 ,_, Mignon_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS is_VBZ apparently_RR Dash_NN1 's_GE child_NN1 ,_, also_RR live_VV0 with_IW them_PPHO2 ._. 
Into_II this_DD1 mix_NN1 come_VV0 Beale_NP1 and_CC Gwen_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS exhibit_VV0 a_AT1 groupielike_JJ devotion_NN1 to_II Dash_NN1 and_CC Dot_NN1 ,_, having_VHG followed_VVN them_PPHO2 around_II the_AT UFO_NN1 circuit_NN1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 met_VVD one_PPX121 another_PPX122 ._. 
Beale_NP1 's_GE main_JJ objective_NN1 appears_VVZ to_TO be_VBI ingratiating_JJ himself_PPX1 with_IW Dash_NN1 in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO achieve_VVI a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO belonging_VVG ._. 
Gwen_NP1 believes_VVZ she_PPHS1 has_VHZ been_VBN abducted_VVN and_CC taken_VVN for_IF a_AT1 ride_NN1 in_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT Occupants_NN2 '_GE ships_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 belief_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, seems_VVZ to_TO result_VVI from_II a_AT1 traumatic_JJ denial_NN1 ,_, the_AT result_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 assault_NN1 and_CC possibly_RR rape_VV0 ._. 
Prone_JJ to_II paranoid_JJ episodes_NN2 during_II which_DDQ she_PPHS1 verges_VVZ on_II a_AT1 mental_JJ meltdown_NN1 ,_, Gwen_NP1 is_VBZ passive_JJ and_CC adrift_JJ ,_, much_RR like_II Beale_NP1 ,_, and_CC ,_, for_IF that_DD1 reason_NN1 more_RRR than_CSN because_II21 of_II22 emotional_JJ ties_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 remains_VVZ with_IW him_PPHO1 ._. 
Though_CS Wright_NP1 weaves_VVZ his_APPGE narrative_NN1 in_II and_CC out_II21 of_II22 the_AT consciousness_NN1 of_IO most_DAT of_IO these_DD2 characters_NN2 ,_, the_AT significant_JJ exception_NN1 being_VBG Dot_NN1 whose_DDQGE perceptions_NN2 and_CC mental_JJ state_NN1 remain_VV0 for_RR41 the_RR42 most_RR43 part_RR44 an_AT1 enigma_NN1 ,_, the_AT narrative_NN1 during_II the_AT first_MD two-thirds_MF of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 is_VBZ provided_VVN more_RGR often_RR than_CSN not_XX through_II Gwen_NP1 's_GE perception_NN1 ._. 
The_AT family_NN1 lives_VVZ amid_II Midwest_NP1 fields_NN2 tall_JJ with_IW corn_NN1 ,_, in_II a_AT1 converted_JJ ,_, abandoned_VVD church_NN1 ,_, replete_JJ with_IW graveyard_NN1 ._. 
Inside_RL is_VBZ a_AT1 replica_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 UFO_NN1 they_PPHS2 have_VH0 built_VVN and_CC a_AT1 used_JJ radar_NN1 system_NN1 they_PPHS2 have_VH0 purchased_VVN to_TO detect_VVI the_AT Mother_NN1 ship_NN1 that_CST will_VM take_VVI them_PPHO2 away_RL if_CS it_PPH1 approaches_VVZ ._. 
The_AT church_NN1 is_VBZ in_II a_AT1 state_NN1 of_IO deterioration_NN1 that_CST reflects_VVZ the_AT state_NN1 of_IO the_AT family_NN1 ,_, and_CC life_NN1 there_EX includes_VVZ dinner-table_JJ arguments_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 television_NN1 set_VVD that_CST blares_VVZ constantly_RR ,_, and_CC a_AT1 ringing_NN1 phone_NN1 that_CST in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO avoid_VVI collection-agency_JJ calls_NN2 is_VBZ rarely_RR answered_VVN ._. 
Dot_NN1 and_CC Dash_VV0 earn_VV0 money_NN1 by_II appearing_VVG at_II conventions_NN2 and_CC on_II radio_NN1 talk_NN1 shows_NN2 ,_, driving_VVG the_AT circuit_NN1 in_II a_AT1 beaten-up_JJ ,_, rust-covered_JJ Volkswagen_NP1 Beetle_NN1 ._. 
After_CS a_AT1 smooth_JJ beginning_NN1 ,_, the_AT situation_NN1 for_IF Gwen_NP1 and_CC Beale_NP1 deteriorates_VVZ ._. 
Beale_NN1 disappears_VVZ ,_, and_CC Gwen_NP1 stays_VVZ on_RP at_II the_AT church_NN1 because_CS there_EX is_VBZ no_AT place_NN1 else_RR for_IF her_PPHO1 to_TO go_VVI ._. 
She_PPHS1 eventually_RR becomes_VVZ pregnant_JJ after_II an_AT1 affair_NN1 with_IW Dallas_NP1 ._. 
When_CS Beale_NP1 's_GE body_NN1 is_VBZ discovered_VVN ,_, Gwen_NP1 runs_VVZ away_RL screaming_VVG and_CC the_AT family_NN1 hits_VVZ the_AT road_NN1 ._. 
The_AT final_JJ third_MD of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 is_VBZ related_VVN mainly_RR through_II Dash_NN1 's_GE point_NN1 of_IO view_NN1 ._. 
Feeling_VVG his_APPGE life_NN1 and_CC family_NN1 slipping_VVG out_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE control_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 and_CC Zoe_NP1 eventually_RR leave_VV0 the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT family_NN1 ,_, heading_VVG east_ND1 to_II Washington_NP1 in_II an_AT1 attempt_NN1 to_TO see_VVI a_AT1 senator_NN1 ._. 
Dash_NN1 's_GE paranoia_NN1 and_CC psychosis_NN1 become_VV0 more_RGR acute_JJ and_CC violent_JJ until_CS his_APPGE final_JJ breakdown_NN1 and_CC death_NN1 ._. 
The_AT novel_JJ ends_NN2 with_IW Gwen_NP1 back_NN1 in_II California_NP1 ,_, sitting_VVG on_II a_AT1 beach_NN1 at_II sunset_NN1 ,_, awaiting_VVG the_AT birth_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE child_NN1 while_CS contemplating_VVG the_AT past_NN1 ,_, wondering_VVG who_PNQS the_AT father_NN1 may_VM be_VBI and_CC what_DDQ her_APPGE child_NN1 might_VM be_VBI ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF a_AT1 revelation_NN1 ._. 
Approximately_RR the_AT first_MD half_NN1 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 spans_VVZ the_AT years_NNT2 leading_VVG up_II21 to_II22 the_AT Civil_JJ War_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ covers_VVZ Liberty_NN1 's_GE growth_NN1 into_II a_AT1 young_JJ man_NN1 ._. 
Almost_RR all_DB the_AT incidents_NN2 relate_VV0 in_II one_MC1 way_NN1 or_CC another_DD1 to_II slavery_NN1 ,_, race_NN1 ,_, and_CC freedom_NN1 ;_; Liberty_NN1 figures_NN2 more_RRR as_II witness_NN1 than_CSN participant_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT longest_JJT chapter_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ involves_VVZ Thatcher_NP1 and_CC Liberty_NN1 's_GE trip_NN1 to_II an_AT1 abolitionist_NN1 convention_NN1 in_II Rochester_NP1 and_CC the_AT boat_NN1 captain_NN1 's_VBZ swallowing_VVG his_APPGE own_DA dislike_NN1 for_IF abolitionists_NN2 in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO acquire_VVI them_PPHO2 as_CSA passengers_NN2 ,_, Wright_NP1 portrays_VVZ a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO the_AT times_NNT2 and_CC a_AT1 cross_NN1 section_NN1 of_IO humanity_NN1 ._. 
Thatcher_NP1 's_GE stated_JJ intent_NN1 in_II taking_VVG Liberty_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO enable_VVI him_PPHO1 to_TO have_VHI the_AT experience_NN1 of_IO traveling_VVG on_II the_AT boats_NN2 before_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR supplanted_VVN by_II the_AT railroad_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ chapters_NN2 involve_VV0 a_AT1 trip_NN1 to_II Kansas_NP1 with_IW Potter_NP1 to_TO join_VVI the_AT antislavery_JJ militia_NN called_VVN the_AT Moderators_NN2 to_TO battle_VVI slave_NN1 supporters_NN2 ;_; a_AT1 trip_NN1 into_II the_AT underground_JJ domicile_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 man_NN1 who_PNQS once_RR sailed_VVN as_II a_AT1 pirate_NN1 under_II Captain_NNB Mission_NP1 ,_, the_AT egalitarian_JJ pirate_NN1 and_CC antislaver_VV0 ;_; and_CC ,_, finally_RR ,_, a_AT1 trip_NN1 to_II New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 with_IW Potter_NP1 and_CC Liberty_NN1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 visit_VV0 Barnum_NP1 's_GE Museum_NN1 and_CC Hall_NN1 of_IO Wonders_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 brothel_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 chapters_NN2 constitute_VV0 variations_NN2 on_II the_AT theme_NN1 of_IO freedom_NN1 and_CC slavery_NN1 ,_, giving_VVG a_AT1 flavor_NN1 of_IO U.S._NP1 culture_NN1 and_CC society_NN1 at_II that_DD1 time_NNT1 ._. 
Perhaps_RR the_AT most_RGT important_JJ section_NN1 in_II the_AT first_MD half_NN1 involves_VVZ an_AT1 extended_JJ flashback_NN1 to_II days_NNT2 on_II the_AT plantation_NN1 through_II Roxana_NP1 's_GE memories_NN2 ,_, featuring_VVG fears_NN2 of_IO slave_NN1 revolts_NN2 ,_, the_AT lynching_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 rebellious_JJ slave_NN1 ,_, Roxana_NP1 's_GE eventual_JJ break_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE family_NN1 over_II slavery_NN1 ,_, and_CC her_APPGE meeting_NN1 with_IW Thatcher_NP1 while_CS on_II a_AT1 visit_NN1 north_ND1 with_IW her_APPGE mother_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Civil_JJ War_NN1 section_NN1 begins_VVZ with_IW Liberty_NN1 attempting_VVG to_TO decide_VVI whether_CSW to_TO serve_VVI in_II the_AT army_NN1 ._. 
For_IF Roxana_NP1 ,_, the_AT onset_NN1 of_IO war_NN1 results_NN2 in_II a_AT1 psychic_JJ trauma_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ will_VM eventually_RR lead_VVI to_II her_APPGE death_NN1 ._. 
Once_RR Liberty_NN1 enters_VVZ the_AT army_NN1 ,_, the_AT narrative_NN1 follows_VVZ him_PPHO1 through_II the_AT battle_NN1 at_II Antietam_NP1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT bloodiest_JJT battles_NN2 of_IO the_AT war_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ he_PPHS1 barely_RR survives_VVZ ._. 
Liberty_NN1 is_VBZ seen_VVN next_MD with_IW German_JJ William_NP1 Sherman_NP1 's_GE forces_NN2 in_II the_AT march_NN1 through_II the_AT South_ND1 ,_, where_CS he_PPHS1 decides_VVZ to_TO desert_VVI from_II the_AT army_NN1 to_TO look_VVI for_IF Redemption_NN1 Hall_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE ancestral_JJ home_NN1 in_II South_NP1 Carolina_NP1 ._. 
The_AT reason_NN1 for_IF Liberty_NN1 's_GE actions_NN2 is_VBZ that_CST he_PPHS1 needs_VVZ to_TO confront_VVI the_AT other_JJ side_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE family_NN1 tree_NN1 to_TO seek_VVI the_AT origins_NN2 of_IO the_AT madness_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ engulfed_VVN him_PPHO1 ._. 
On_II the_AT way_NN1 he_PPHS1 meets_VVZ a_AT1 Southerner_NN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ declared_VVN his_APPGE farm_NN1 part_NN1 of_IO the_AT Union_NN1 ._. 
When_CS Liberty_NN1 reaches_VVZ Redemption_NN1 Hall_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 finds_VVZ the_AT place_NN1 in_II decline_NN1 ,_, with_IW three_MC of_IO Roxana_NP1 's_GE brothers_NN2 dead_JJ in_II the_AT war_NN1 and_CC the_AT fourth_MD unaccounted_JJ for_IF ._. 
His_APPGE grandfather_NN1 and_CC grandmother_NN1 's_GE relationship_NN1 has_VHZ turned_VVN rancorous_JJ ;_; they_PPHS2 no_RR21 longer_RR22 sleep_VV0 in_II the_AT same_DA room_NN1 and_CC have_VH0 not_XX for_IF some_DD time_NNT1 ._. 
His_APPGE grandmother_NN1 believes_VVZ herself_PPX1 to_TO be_VBI on_II her_APPGE deathbed_NN1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE grandfather_NN1 is_VBZ in_II the_AT midst_NN1 of_IO experiments_NN2 involving_VVG chemicals_NN2 and_CC rape_NN1 and_CC incest_NN1 geared_VVN toward_II turning_VVG blacks_NN2 white_JJ and_CC thereby_RR eradicating_VVG the_AT problem_NN1 that_CST has_VHZ divided_VVN his_APPGE family_NN1 and_CC the_AT nation_NN1 ._. 
With_IW the_AT approach_NN1 of_IO the_AT Union_NN1 army_NN1 ,_, Liberty_NN1 and_CC Asa_NP1 ,_, along_II21 with_II22 one_MC1 slave_NN1 who_PNQS is_VBZ the_AT product_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE incestuous_JJ experiments_NN2 ,_, flee_VV0 from_II Charleston_NP1 on_II a_AT1 blockade-runner_NN1 headed_VVN for_IF Nassau_NN1 ._. 
On_II the_AT voyage_NN1 there_EX is_VBZ much_DA1 discussion_NN1 of_IO the_AT idea_NN1 of_IO freedom_NN1 --_NN1 as_II21 to_II22 whether_CSW there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 difference_NN1 between_II bonded_JJ slaves_NN2 and_CC wage_NN1 slavery_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC of_IO genealogies_NN2 ._. 
After_II having_VHG infuriated_VVN a_AT1 Southern_JJ couple_NN1 on_II the_AT ship_NN1 by_II insinuating_VVG that_CST they_PPHS2 may_VM have_VHI been_VBN eating_VVG at_II a_AT1 table_NN1 with_IW someone_PN1 with_IW black_JJ blood_NN1 ,_, Liberty_NN1 states_VVZ :_: "_" Life_NN1 ..._... ultimately_RR it_PPH1 makes_VVZ mongrels_NN2 of_IO us_PPIO2 all_DB ._. "_" 
The_AT trip_NN1 climaxes_VVZ with_IW Asa_NP1 's_GE suicide_NN1 following_VVG a_AT1 failed_JJ attempt_NN1 to_TO commandeer_VVI the_AT ship_NN1 ._. 
