Introduction
“Time is the force we often think of that aids in making things better, ability to recover all wounds” (Tidwell, 2003). Mike Tidwell’s quote will always summarize a popular attitude held by a majority of people in times of despair (Tidwell, 2003). With time, there comes the ability to cope with a loved one loss, the acceptance of intellectual growth, failure and responsibility (Tidwell, 2003). What Tidwell states about time in Louisiana however, conflicts with the description of the previously quoted because in Louisiana, the opposite occurs to be true: since that day a year ago the state has lost over 17,845 acres of land (Tidwell, 2003). What is the contributing to the wearing off of the Louisiana coastal region?
Main article
“This chilling statistic prevents people from accepting time to be a natural healer, and it leads majority to believe that it is in fact the most influential or contributing factor in the loss of the wetlands of Louisiana’s coastal region, Cajun heritage, and fishing industries” (M, 2003). In Tidwell’s Bayou Farewell, evidence will suggests the state’s failure to anticipate the problems from leveeing of the Mississippi River, the consequences unintended of the levees and an overall attitude of denial, and the mechanical drudging are the main factors contributing in the devastation of wetlands in Louisiana’s coastal region (Tidwell, 2003). Mike Tidwell has clearly indicated to his readers that Louisiana coastal region is fading out clearly because there is no more deposit of sediment by the Mississippi river (Showalter, 2003). Flooding of the river was the main responsibility for the silt depositing along the coastal region of Louisiana, now the river is carrying away residue off it is edges (Tidwell, 2003).
“The most pressing problem that is overlooked by the engineers responsible for building the levees around the Mississippi River is the lack of sediments deposited into the land that surrounds the river during flooding” (Showalter, 2003). The Mississippi River carries away soils and sediments from all over the country and finally downstream where it eventually empties them into the Mexican Gulf (Tidwell, 2003). Along it is the route, the river deposited sediment that reinforced the small surrounding land thus creating new land. Several estimates suggest that before leveeing the Mississippi river deposited sediments of an average of 85 million tons across coastal Louisiana and the wetlands every year (Siegel, 2003). Parts of Louisiana, especially area such as New Orleans, already are lying below the sea level. Increment in erosion will only make the land level lower, thus increasing the flood levels and destruction of these lands from natural disasters such as flooding (Tidwell, 2003).
Conclusion
As Tidwell brings his book to an end, a short sentence strikes the reader and essentially drives home the point he makes throughout this book. Tidwell described the harshness and intensity of the disappearance of Louisiana’s land by stating that since that day a year back when he first tossed his backpack onto a bunk of a shrimp-boat and walked barefoot and happily across the decks, that the state has lost 17,845 more acres of land (Tidwell, 2003). This chilling statistic leaves a reader with an empty feeling. “Unlike many endings of stories, Bayou Farewell lacks closure or a happy ending because this situation is alarming” (Siegel, 2003).
References
M, T. (2003, March 1). Bayou Farewell. Retrieved March 23, 2013, from what is: Http://37articles.com/bayou-farewell-the-rich-life-and-tragic-death-of-louisianas-coast/
Showalter, S. (2003, February 3). BOOK REVIEW. Retrieved March 23, 2013, from The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana’s Cajun Coast: http://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/13d9872ccff6bf06
Siegel, W. (2003, March 12). The Rich Life and Tragic Death of Louisiana’s Cajun Coast. Retrieved March 23, 2013, from Bayou Farewell: Http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/pages/2003/0303/303rvbayou.html
Tidwell, M. (2003). Bayou Farewell. New York: Vintage Books. Print.
