Water Water Everywhere

(Hemingway, whole book)

Literary Term: Motif

(Jacob, page 241) Then in the quiet water I turned and floated. Floating I saw only the sky and felt the drop and lift of the swells.

As a common theme in books, water has made its appearance in this novel. It plays different roles, often reflecting the situation.

This motif is mainly begins with the fishing trip. The running creek allows for activity and the scene displays the growing friendship of Bill and Jacob. Also the fishing trip shows the work ethnic of both characters: Bill is shown as a hardworking individual who later is the glue among the group while Jacob takes the easiest way to fish but is satisfied similar to how he has accepted the rejection from Brett.

Later water acts as the physical sign of the rejection of religion, when the water evaporates from his hand and forehand.

The later rainstorm during the fiesta reflects the depressing friendships among the group and the overall disappointed attitudes. However, just as the citizens worked around the rain and still had some fun, the group of friends were still able to party together and enjoy the vacation.

And finally, this swimming trip Jacob has reflects the calm atmosphere he feels when alone. Still, his thoughts are on the roaring waves and tiring action of the swimming. It seems that he almost prefers the hardship rather than the peace, or it at least consumes his thoughts. Sure enough when Jacob works through the waves and finally makes it to the shore, leaving the peace of floating, he is greeted with Brett asked for help. Brett is simply harmful on Jacob on a mental and physical level. And even as the book ends, the relationship of Jacob and Brett simply hasn't grown much.