The River/ Water (motif)

1. The River/ Water (motif) Peter Newell and Kyle Stimson

2. Symbolism • The river is the life-blood of Australia. (the river perpetrates happiness, devastation, etc. which is life, blood is the water). • The river and water is a common gathering place. • The river is symbolic of love. E.g. wedding • The river represents cleansing and unity especially for the character Fish, who finds his true self as a whole when he is at the river.

3. Significance (themes and ideas) • Water is essential to life; therefore integral to the family. • Story starts and ends by the river and is therefore the axis for the characters. • The family’s are united at the river during Quick and Rose’s wedding. • Fish was separated at the river. • Reinforces Tim Winton’s belief that relationships will have their ups and downs, i.e. Fish’s Drowning and Quick and Rose’s Marriage.

4. River Quotes • “She knew this scene. Her life always came back to the river. A long time ago she’d been baptized in a river. She’d kissed Lester Lamb by the river the first time … And that night, that long, horrid night by the estuary at Margaret, when her men had walked on water and the lamp had gone out ..” (p176) • This quote emphasises the way in which Oriel’s and her families lives have been inflicted by the water. This stems from and is evidence of Winton’s own personal context and fascination with water. • “Remember wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be many fish, for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea will become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.” (p178) • This is further evidence of the Lambs’ need and longing to be around water. This is evident when Quick is drawn to waterholes when he is out and in the bush. This quote also be reinforces Fish’s unity that can only be found within water as it is represented as a truth for Fish. The quote also implies that survival of their family values will only live on as they are bonded with the river, “swarms will live”.

5. “He was comfortable out there on the water … The river was a broad, muttering, living thing always suggesting things to keep his mind busy. Every important thing that had happened to him, it seemed, had to do with the river. It was insistent, quietly forceful like the force of his own blood.” (p300) • This quote shows us Fish’s longing and constant urge to return to the water is how he and his spirit self are no longer one. • “Late in the spring, Rose began to swim in the river at Peppermint Grove.” After losing her baby. (p 358) • This quote represents the cathartic element of water. • “Rose took Wax Harry down to the river and lay in the creamy sand with his the way she’d promised herself she would.” (p 389) • This quote presents the appreciation that the families have for the river, water and the sand. It also shows a sense of comfortability with the sand, “creamy”.