"The Same River Twice" Analysis Part 1

One thing that I noticed while reading the first part of this novel is that Chris Offutt uses an underlying fleeting theme to convey to the reader his belief that nothing lasts forever. The first time he introduces this theme is early on, when he describes life on the Iowa River. He says, “people owned their homes but not the land.” While they did partake in ownership, because the land was prone to floods, there was a sense that Mother Nature could destroy the homes unexpectedly. He also describes how Iowa is one of the top agricultural states in the nation. He goes on to say, “Farmers have used the land so long that the richest soil in the nation is just old dirt.” Even though the soil is the best in the nation, even it is not able to sustain crops forever.

While he first describes nature as fleeting with the flood plains and the tired soil, he transitions to discuss how time itself, and the events and relationships one experiences in their life, are also fleeting. He describes his job, “what began as an adherence to freedom became an inability to hold a job.” Jobs can be difficult to keep, due to different demands, both mental and physical, and the degree to which we are able to continue meeting these demands. In this case, while he moved, which can be associated with freedom, he was not able to hold his job. While reflecting back on his past, he says, “My youth was behind me, not misspent exactly, but squandered to a certain extent.” Although he is not unhappy with the way his youth way spent, there is no question that it is over. Youth, like other things, may be described as being “fleeting.” Lastly, Offutt uses contrast though Jahi’s dialogue…“Write down everything I say,” she said. “Make me live forever.” Jahi knows that nothing lasts forever, but she, like many tries to fight it. We often try to fight signs of aging, make the most of our time, and to preserve earth we live on. Jahi hopes that if she is written about in the journal, then it will allow her to be remembered.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Squandered: use something wastefully

2. Intangible: something unquantifiable

3. Impediment: impairment; obstacle

4. Saboteur: somebody who sabotages

5. Guttural: gruff-sounding

6. Labyrinth: confusing network; something very complicated

7. Matriculate: somebody enrolled; student

8. Recalcitrant: resisting authority