Last American Man

Will Landschulz

Am Lit. Per. 2

Mrs. LaMagdeleine

Eustace is an American Man (I doubt he's the last), but taken to the nth degree.  Many of the American Men (or Women) of the present day create their personal domains through another path than the wilderness, namely college and a career.  The reason I don't say he's the Last American Man is that he has the ability to create other "Last American Men" while he is still alive.  However, this creation can take a number of forms.  Someone can go through Eustace's training program and be a radical success.   Someone can idolize and emulate Eustace from afar.  For this form of change, Ms. Gilbert's book will be instrumental in spreading the word about Eustace and his vision.  But there is also the chance, however slim, that someone will grow up like him independently of Turtle Island, of the book.  All he needs is nature to enjoy while he has the chance, and a non-coddling approach to parenting that, sadly, pervades most of our culture.