Abstract:

            This website will be what we use to map the journey of the two main characters in the novel. The software allows us to create a visual interpretation of the path around the world that the characters make. There are various tools available to supplement this endeavor. For example, an audio tour can be recorded to describe the route. Blurbs of text can also be added to give descriptions of certain areas or for text analysis.

Description:

            Will and Hand are the two main characters in the book, and they are the ones embarking on this journey around the world. This works well with the software, because the specific application of it that we will be using is designed for trip planning, much like what Will and Hand will be doing. It is helpful that the software was recently updated, and that everything shown is representative of present day, because the events in the story are meant to take place in the present or in some time near that. The journey also takes place in about a week, because that is all the time that the character, Hand, can afford to take off from work. There is the option of representing the time taken to complete the journey on the mapping software with the utilization of the text explanations at various pinpoints. The journey will basically be tracked as a path on the map of the world. There will be various pinpoints, as the software allows, at the different locations that the characters stop at and they will mark important occurrences and happenings of the characters along the way. With the use of this particular software, and the all the tools that it has to offer, the journey of the characters can be represented in an efficient, organized and very visual manner. With the story mapped in this way, the reader can gain a better understanding of what the characters went through, and place everything in a better context. It will be easier to understand what happens in the story, as well as to better identify with the characters and appreciate all the obstacles that they overcome along the way.

Commentary:

            There are so many new and interesting features to explore with Google Earth that will lead to many different opportunities for us to utilize with out project. We are able to add a “placemark for a location.” This will enable us to mark places wherever we choose, most likely places of importance or places that the characters stop at, or where significant parts of the novel occur. Placemarks can also be placed where money was given away, and will allow the reader to attempt to track how much was given away and where. With this feature, we will also have many opportunities to utilize other textual analysis tools. For example, at different locations that have been pinpointed on the map, we can return to that section of the book and place a certain quotation of importance there, we can analyze certain passages that take place at specific locations, or we can use other software such as the word counter, or the masculine and feminine word analyzer on the different passages at the locations of our choosing. Since it will be on the map, it will all be displayed in a very visual and clear way, and allow the reader to track what is going in a chronological order throughout the trip. The “add a path” feature will also be helpful in this way, because now the reader, no matter their skills of geography, can physically see the path that the characters take.

Another feature to take advantage of would be the “image overlay” feature. There are certain points within the novel where the location that the characters stop it is very specifically described and visually defined. At these locations, we can utilize the pinpoint feature, and then place an image of the spot that the characters are currently in at that point in time. This will make the project even more visually rich than with just the map alone and really allow the readers to better experience the journey of the Will and Hand.

The “record a tour” feature may prove very useful as well. With this, our group would have the opportunity to record a tour that we map out with the software. This would add a whole new dimension to the project. It would take advantage of the visual and audio aspects, as well as the textual. However, this may prove difficult to take advantage of, as it really is not much different from including textual blurbs at different pin points on the map, and was most likely designed for personal accounts of trips rather than the purposes that our group would be using it for.

A final feature that may prove very useful to us is the ability to measure the distance traveled on the map. After plotting the course by adding the path to the map, it may be very helpful to calculate the total distance traveled, including backtracking and round-about travel. This can give the reader a better idea of the true magnitude of the journey. The total distance traveled, especially in the space of a week, must be an astounding number, given the amount of places that they visited. With this information, it would even be possible to calculate their average velocity during the week that they were traveling, which would be interesting to know because it would put the context of the trip into perspective. It would be interesting to have the data of their distance traveled, time spent doing so, and the amount of money given away for comparison, because it would yield some interesting results in the vector of how much they accomplished in relation to time.

There are so many different tools to take advantage of with this program and so many ways to creatively “map their velocity.” Many people understand things far better when they are presented in a visual medium. This project will literally transfer the directions that the book takes to an actual map for the reader to physically see the magnitude of the journey taken in the span of just a week. This project will bring the book more to life, and make it far more relatable and believable. When it is mapped in the real world, it makes the story seem all the more life-like and possible that it could happen, or far more impossible because of the outrageousness of the distance traveled in so short a period of time. It will put into perspective how realistic the story is, and help to better illuminate how difficult the journey must have been.

Though this software will give our group many opportunities to explore the text in a new and unique way, there are also a few limitations. Since the project is so visual, with a great emphasis on the direction of their journey, it may seem that the emotional and mental journey of the characters is not given as much importance. To combat this, we will make sure to shed light on important passages that represent their non-physical journey, and emphasize the use of analytical tools with such passages.

Resources for Further Study:

The original Google Earth user guide: http://earth.google.com/intl/en/userguide/v4/

Other forums and information about Google Earth that may prove useful:

http://google-map.magnify.net/video/How-to-use-Google-Earth-to-Pl-3

http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/google_earth_tips/

http://googleearthuser.blogspot.com/