America's First Road Trip By Charles Entwistle

503 Words3 Pages

In the short story “America's First Road Trip” by Charles C. Entwistle, the author depicts the main character Dr.Jackson to be a very determined individual as well as optimistic. Jackson uses others' doubts about automobiles to his gain by betting he can make it in a car from San Francisco to New York. The author's attitude towards Jackson is very easily picked up to be amazed and overall impressed. Entwhistles' attitude towards Jackson affects his portrayal of him to be more of a positive and proud outlook due to the author expressing . The author portrays Jackson as a firm believer in automobiles, Entwistle writes,“Jackson believed cars had a bright and prosperous future.” Entwistle also reveals Jackson to be a “high spirited optimist” looking …show more content…

Entwistle made it clear that Jackson was determined to prove himself right so, Jackson and the mechanic went through frustrating situations in order to make it to New York, “The two men were soon used to getting lost, because many roads were poorly marked, and some were not marked at all.” The author give this information to reveal the struggle it was to make it to New York, Jackson and the mechanic did not have roads like we do now or a GPS. Entwistle unveils another set back the men faced which was gas, “The little engine got about 6 miles per gallon and the gas tank held 10 gallons. An extra gas tank carried 12 gallons.” An essential need for a car to operate which was not easy to come across at a moments notice, therefore the author used that fact to further express the level of determination the men had, “General stores were the only places Jackson could buy gas and oil, and these stores were located in towns. Running out of gas on the open road meant along walk to the nearest tow, and the lost of at least a day’s drive.” So, it is clear the author is portraying Jackson to be very determine given the fact he must overcome these