Symbolism In Peace Like A River

Independence means something to people, usually it comes to them making their own decisions and able to do activities on their own without relying on others to do the work for them. Dependence means something else, usually happens when people aren't able to do things on their own and depend on others to do the work or job for that person. Symptoms have been started throughout human life and the differences it has on human beings. Enger devotes his time writing about the independence and dependence people have. In the novel, Peace Like a River, Enger explores the obstacles Reuben, the protagonist faces when he has asthma and how dependent he is on others to him being an independant person. When the Land family faces violence, fear, and a war …show more content…
Reuben´s ability to breathe represents independence and he's able to do something on his own and make decisions without any assistance. Reuben faces many obstacles and has the moments of being independent and making decisions himself instead of relying on others to do the work for him. For instance, on pg. 110, it states, ¨I'll given her instructions, and I'll drop some medicine by. You let Swede give it to your dad. Your job is to stay out of his room. Swede should take him his meals, too.” He saw I didn't understand. Glancing around he said, “Bedside manner: It’s where she needs practice, her bedside manner is a little rough.¨ Reuben decides it's time to do something else with his time instead of just sitting around relying on his father's miracles and other people's opinions. He decides to get a job to make a bit of money for the family and works really hard without any help. He met with the guy in charge and he understood everything and soon realized that he could do something on his own without the help of another person. He wasn't that nervous and his breathing was good at the time, which allowed him to do something on his own. It links to independence and doing a job on your own without and help and understanding it. It was a new beginning for him and growing out of his dependence. Nevertheless, Reuben soon takes on tasks that are challenging and it was a perfect opportunity to do something independently and focus on it instead of worrying about others and getting assistance. According to Chapter 2, ¨Lights snapped in my eyes, my ears plugged and opened, and there was a sudden easing in my lungs that showed me how hard I’d been working to breathe. Charged with fear and oxygen I turned to see who had hold of me¨ (pg. 33). Reuben had been suffering from the inability to breathe and had poor health when he was born. He soon was able to wake up from the experience of almost dying and breathed