Comparison: Harlan, Kentucky and Glenwood, West Virginia

     In chapter six of Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell describes a little, scarcely populated Kentucky town called Harlan.  This town is located in a valley of the Appalachian Mountains.  When it was first settled, it was abundant with trees.  Some spots in the narrow valleys were only wide enough for a one lane road and a creek. The physical characteristics of Harlan are similar to my hometown Glenwood, West Virginia.  Trees are everywhere, and the trees are divided by a single lane road.  In some parts of Glenwood, there is a creek running alongside of the road.  Hills and ridges are abundant because Glenwood sits on the outskirts of the Appalachian Mountains.  Glenwood has quite a few people, but the homes are not side-by-side; they are spread out.  Glenwood and Harlan also have similarities of the people that make up the towns but only to a point.

     Harlan was the center for a family feud.  The Howard and Turner families were always at odds with one another.  Houses were raided, and people of both families were killed often.  These people were descendants from the Scots-Irish settlers, and Scots-Irish defend their honor.  Whenever a member from either family felt offended by the other family, they would get even.  In my hometown, there have been no family feuds.  However, I have seen and heard of fights among people in my area.  One family in particular likes to stir up trouble.  I have seen them try to fight their own cousins on the bus.  Someone runs their mouth to them, and before you know it, the fists start flying.

     In summary, Glenwood and Harlan have about the same scenery.  The people of both towns like to defend their honor.  However, Harlan handles their problems in a much more brutal way.