Big Two-Hearted River Symbolism Essay

Symbolism plays a great role in the story Big Two-Hearted River, by Ernest Hemingway. The symbols Hemingway chose support one of the main themes, and they help bring out the meaning behind the story. Big Two Hearted River is a story about a veteran returning home from war. The main character, Nick Adams, has a heavy heart when he returns home to find his town Seney and home demolished and burned. This feeling is similar to what a soldier on duty experiences out on the battlefield. These men will never forget what they saw and dealt with during war, and it unfortunately comes home with them. He, and most men coming home from war, don’t feel anyone can relate with them, so they usually would just rather be alone so they can live how they want to. Nick has seen it all in the war; people die, things blow up, and shots fired. His life on the

Hemingway states, “After the hot day, the dew had come quickly and heavily. The river made no sound. It was too fast and smooth” (1204). Nick goes to the river to find a quiet, serene place. He knows it will always be there and that he can always count on it. In the Disney movie, Pocahontas, the Indian princess sings a song about rivers, how they are always changing and flowing, and that you never know what’s around the river bend. This suggests change, but Nick does not look at it that way. All he knows is he can always come back to the same river, even when his world around him is falling apart. Water in general is natural, and is known for spiritual healing and great simplicity. Nick loves how he can rely on something like a river for mental and spiritual support, something he hasn’t had since his return. Nick also uses the river as a guide. He knows where he is in correlation to the river, which helps him find his way. This is a huge step for Nick, because he can’t rely on much of anything, but the river gives him that peace and sense of