preview

Ruth Transcendentalism Analysis

Decent Essays

The lake is the main source of water and the main feature of fingerbone. Ruth loves to spend time at the shore, where she spent many a school day relaxing and waiting to get caught. She observes the vastness of the lake and becomes intrigued by all the possibilities it offers and all the adventures to be had. The lake fascinates her and adds to their sense of transience by constantly drawing her out of school and into thoughts of her own will. Providing Ruth with her own time to come up with ideals based on what she sees in the world and not what others say is correct and try to put in her head. While at the lake Ruth truly becomes a transcendentalist, one who climbs beyond traditional methods of thought to instead approach a heuristic way of thinking and appreciate the natural beauty of our earth. Material wealth and ownership are other concepts the lake dispels for Ruth. Sylvie stole the boat they use to cross the lake, with no regard for the man who owns the boat. The lake promotes the idea of freedom to do what you want with no consequences. The water provides a safe haven for Ruth and Sylvie to escape the man on the shore and then carries them to a safe haven which is one of the many islands on the lake. The water acts as a barrier between the new way of …show more content…

Cold weather brings ice and snow. This frozen water provides many enjoyable outlets for Ruth such as ice skating and building snowmen. The snow makes Fingerbone different and therefore exciting, cementing the idea that change is good and can come anywhere and in any form in Ruth's mind. After the snow melts mass floods rip away at the very soil the town lies upon. The ever changing landscape of fingerbone challenges Ruth’s abilities to remain grounded to a singular place. This variation gives Ruth the ability to be comfortable in many different walks of life. Thus propelling her even farther into Sylvie's world and way of

Get Access