Beyond the surface implications of literature as a teaching tool, stories can sometimes uncover several attributes about the author and his background. Wagamese’s novel uniquely explores nature and presents some of the pertinent aspects of societies. The author states that “all of us have an intuitive connection to the planet,” to illustrate the fact that humankind has a responsibility to take care of the Earth. In essence, he highlights several ill-behaviors and carelessness of people through the character, Saul. In fact, the natural setting was crucial in sustaining Saul’s life all through different conditions. Evidently, Saul admits this idea by saying “I have been lifted up and out of this physical world into a place where time and space have a different rhythm.” The author depicts how human activities, social settings, and individualistic values can affect the condition of the environment.
Saul portrays Toronto as a harsh, polluted, and chaotic environment, living in which can offer little pleasure. In essence, urban settings are naturally unfavorable, with many people living unbearable life and frenzy surroundings. Wagamese exposes urban mess through Saul as he comes to the city for the first time. He finds everything ruined as pollution, traffic, and other unpleasant conditions become prevalent. Saul describes these circumstances as “a mad jumble of speed, noise and people.” Further, he claims that the city was a place where one “could taste the soot and oil and gas all the time” to highlight the level of destruction people have rendered on nature. Such a frightening picture denotes the distinctions between town life and rural settings.
On the contrary, rural areas are described as serene environments associated with fulfillment and joy. Saul refers to the land as the fragment of reality he can enjoy and understand well. Thus, town life became less pleasant and demeaning as compared to the village setups. Lake Nagagami was serenely natural and prominent due to remarkable physical attributes which would immensely connect people to their culture and traditions. The village background was an exceptional setup in Saul’s perception. Primarily, people in the countryside live in harmony, dispensing greater attachment to their cultures and social ties. In towns, true love is unlikely to be found since the local residents do not seem to care or love one another. Accordingly, the author depicts rural life as a lively natural setting in which people can be humane and thoughtful in their decisions, while urban folks are selfish and committed to looking for the unfulfilling wealth.
Notably, Wagamese skillfully uses his wit to expose individual variations in groups’ social characteristics from different backgrounds. His diction in narrating the various ordeals bears a significant effect on the relevance of the story. As a result, it becomes more interesting to examine how this variability would portray the role of literature across different cultures. Sometimes, the companions endured within the environment can shape the way people perceive one another. Consequently, individuals may become devoted to varying goals in life even if they share the same origin and values. While reading this novel, it becomes vivid that the town dwellers have a different way of life with eternal problems, whereas country individuals are joyful and healthily contented.
To conclude, the use of the depiction of nature in this novel reflects the decisive role of humanity in the environment. At the same time, it helps the reader understand how consistent exposure may breed content. Although the town seems harsh and unwelcoming, those who live there do not realize anything strange until they reach their destination. Typically, the natural setting helps to highlight human connection with the environment. The comparative display and choice of words is used to demonstrate that various natural locations can create an image of how landscapes may be altered through our daily activities.
