The Journey Across America
A road trip through a dying world where old gods hide in plain sight.
In Neil Gaiman's American Gods, Shadow Moon takes a job as bodyguard to the con man Mr. Wednesday and travels with him across the United States. On the road he meets Wednesday's allies, among them Mr. Nancy, Easter, Whiskey Jack and John Chapman, while the New Gods' henchmen, the Spooks, pursue them.
Quick Facts
- Protagonist
- Shadow Moon
- Key companion
- Mr. Wednesday (Odin)
- Geographic scope
- United States of America
Lore & Background
After the Spooks abduct Shadow and Laura rescues him, Wednesday tells Shadow to hide with Mr. Ibis and Mr. Jacquel at their funeral parlor in Cairo, Illinois. Later Shadow hides under the alias Mike Ainsel in the Wisconsin town of Lakeside, from where Wednesday periodically takes him on jobs to meet other gods; in Las Vegas they meet a god whose name slips from Shadow's mind whenever Wednesday says it.
Reader's Guide
The journey ends after the New Gods murder Wednesday at a parley: the Old Gods rally for battle at Rock City, where Shadow tells both sides that only Odin and Loki stand to win and urges the gods to return to their homelands.
Did You Know?
- Many of the Old Gods encountered on the road are based on deities brought to America by immigrants from diverse cultures including Norse, Egyptian, Yoruba, and Slavic traditions.
- The journey serves as a metaphor for the decline of traditional faiths in modern society, contrasting with the rise of 'New Gods' representing technology and media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who acts as Shadow's guide during this odyssey?
Mr. Wednesday, revealed to be Odin in disguise, intervenes after Laura's death to lead Shadow on this mission. Their partnership is essential for uncovering the secrets of the Old Gods hidden within America.
What major conflict arises along this route?
The journey highlights the escalating war between ancient myths and the New Gods of technology, science, and media. Shadow meets them too: the Technical Boy has him abducted, and Media appears to him as Lucy Ricardo.
How does this storyline impact the final battle between deities?
The pilgrimage acts as a catalyst that unites Shadow with other Old Gods for the coming conflict. It prepares him to understand the stakes of belief required to defeat the rising tide of modernity.
More in Narrative Arcs & Events
Elsewhere in American Gods
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