Walking on Water by Janette Turner Hospital
Walking on Water by Janette Turner Hospital
In Janette Turner Hospital’s short story Walking on Water, the exploration of the impact of relationships leads to the discovery of a person’s growth to be limited. All people have the strength to rise above adversity; however only some people chose to do so. People who do not have the strength to overcome adversity may surrender to the forces of life. Even though the role of adversity in one’s life is used to help shape an individual to help them become a better person, it can result in one’s inner conflict and one’s inability to overcome fear. “Walking on Water” by Janette Turner Hospital suggests that the role of adversity in shaping an individual’s identity is affected by the individual’s relationship with others resulting in the individual’s personal growth to be limited. Throughout the story the lesson learned is that James and Gillian’s (son and mother) relationship is unstable while James is conflicted with himself.
In the short story, James is a teenage boy who wants to move to California to live with his Uncle, Aunt, and cousins. His mother, Gillian is the antagonist of the story and wants James to stay home with his family. Gillian does not have the strength to overcome her weakness of letting him go. James’ relationship with Gillian is strained during the story because of their personal differences. During the course of the story, Gillian tries to remind her family about all the great fun they use to have by crossing Lake Ontario. Gillian believed that these events and special rituals her family performed would bring them even closer. Gillian wanted to remind James that he would miss out on family adventures if he moved to California. “Nostalgia would warm them like an old blanket smelling of past happiness.”(Gillian). Gillian wanted to substitute the nostalgia in James mind so he would not have the desire to move the California. Gillian also wants to convince her son that unfortunate events can happen if
In Janette Turner Hospital’s short story Walking on Water, the exploration of the impact of relationships leads to the discovery of a person’s growth to be limited. All people have the strength to rise above adversity; however only some people chose to do so. People who do not have the strength to overcome adversity may surrender to the forces of life. Even though the role of adversity in one’s life is used to help shape an individual to help them become a better person, it can result in one’s inner conflict and one’s inability to overcome fear. “Walking on Water” by Janette Turner Hospital suggests that the role of adversity in shaping an individual’s identity is affected by the individual’s relationship with others resulting in the individual’s personal growth to be limited. Throughout the story the lesson learned is that James and Gillian’s (son and mother) relationship is unstable while James is conflicted with himself.
In the short story, James is a teenage boy who wants to move to California to live with his Uncle, Aunt, and cousins. His mother, Gillian is the antagonist of the story and wants James to stay home with his family. Gillian does not have the strength to overcome her weakness of letting him go. James’ relationship with Gillian is strained during the story because of their personal differences. During the course of the story, Gillian tries to remind her family about all the great fun they use to have by crossing Lake Ontario. Gillian believed that these events and special rituals her family performed would bring them even closer. Gillian wanted to remind James that he would miss out on family adventures if he moved to California. “Nostalgia would warm them like an old blanket smelling of past happiness.”(Gillian). Gillian wanted to substitute the nostalgia in James mind so he would not have the desire to move the California. Gillian also wants to convince her son that unfortunate events can happen if