The Many Symbols of a River
How the flow of water can tell a story.
The rush of fast-moving water down steep mountain valleys showcases the incredible strength and beauty of nature. It resonates with our primal instincts as being a plentiful source of drinking water, transportation, and spiritual allure.
Rivers have been the fount of many things since the beginning of mankind. A source of enchantment, excitement, and adventure. Many seek solace in our National Parks that protect pristine river ecosystems. Some of us take thrilling vacations on guided river rafting expeditions for a rush of adrenaline and escapism.
Perhaps one of the most common ways that rivers have captured our minds is through storytelling. In many captivating narratives, the river is not just a physical place, but instead a much larger symbol of something else. Here are some of the ways that rivers have inspired our chronicles and occupied our allegories.
“This second night we run between seven and eight hours, with a current that was making over four mile an hour. We catched fish, and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, drifting down the big still river, laying on our backs looking up at the stars, and we didn’t ever feel like talking loud, and it warn’t often that we laughed, only a little kind of a low chuckle.”
-The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
19th-century author Mark Twain’s most well-known and well-read novel encompasses the escapades of Huck and Jim along the Mississippi River. The famous river is not only the physical setting behind the classic piece of American literature but also a powerful symbol in storytelling.
At first, the river for Huck and Jim is a symbol of freedom. Both have their means and attitudes towards the river and look to it as a getaway. As the story progresses, the places along the river become dangerous and reflect the turmoil that Southern states faced during the time of the American antebellum.
Mark Twain wasn’t the only one; rivers have also been used in many forms of literature, art, and films as a powerful emblematic impetus.
The river itself is a path, which lends itself quite well to be a powerful illustration of a journey a hero must take. As the river flows along — so does our narrative.
The river can not only symbolize a path that one must take but can also highlight the descent into or out of something.
“In and out of rivers, streams of death in life, whose banks were rotting into mud, whose waters, thickened with slime, invaded the contorted mangroves, that seemed to writhe at us in the extremity of an impotent despair.”
-Heart of Darkness
In Joseph Conrad’s famous novel, Marlow searches for the elusive ivory trader Kurtz deep in the Congo river of Africa. In this story, Marlow goes deeper into what is perceived as the darkness of the jungle floating further and further down the Congo River. It not only tells the internal emotional journey of Marlow but highlights the voyage from civilization to primitive ruthfulness.
In this case, the river is a passageway. Like taking a road that leads to a new world; the river can symbolize changes in values, personalities, and morality.
These two examples are just some of the ways that rivers can tell a human story. Many other natural settings also advance storytelling and serve as a metaphor. They provide the physical path of the journey and offer a space for raconteurs to promote the emotional and moral character change that makes great storytelling so effective.
The river as a symbol can’t just simply be used in itself; good storytelling also needs to present. The river as a natural setting and a symbol is just one ingredient to the powerful human narrative. Without proper storytelling, it can very easily become a cliche.
Rivers will no doubt continue to be a multifaceted element that provides creativity, stimulation, and grandeur. They are a powerful component of nature that quite simply evokes meaning for us. The ride along any river journey will always be an interesting one.
