River" by Erstine Coldwell effectively uses enviroment in a variety of ways to contribute to

understanding of the story. Refrences to the footbridge, mountains, and light all help to clarify

Although the footbridge only appears at the beginning of the story, it is one way to

understanding the theme. When Richard gets off the train he has taken to get to Gretchens

house, he discovers he must cross a suspended footbridge across a river to get to her. As he

walks across, the footbridge moves and he gets nervous. Coldwell writes, "the creaking

footbridge swayed with the rhythm of my stride and the momentum of its swing soon overcam

footbridge. Gretchen greeted him at the gravel path. Gretchen exclaimed, "Did the footbridge

frighten you, Richard"(221). This quotation helps the reader understand that Richard fears the

got into bed, I lay tensely awake" (227). Once Richard blew the light out, the magic that was in the air

Some common words found in the essay are:
Erstine Coldwell, Warm Short, short story, gretchens father, love footbridge, theme love, richard finally, extensive landscape, helps reader,
Approximate Word count = 533
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)