Literary analysis Canadian Literature by Ivana Rivera Gonzalez

Water

ivanarivera — 2025-08-26 15:45:17 UTC

The water was used as a symbol of renewal and forgiveness. Considering that the relationship between the father and son wasn't ideal, the absence of water in the story reflected struggle and their conflicted relationship. Although when water was mentioned it symbolized the possibility of the father's forgiveness and the healing process of his son, it never happens. Their relationship remained distant since they did not reconciled.

Road

ivanarivera — 2025-08-26 16:42:00 UTC

The road was used as a symbol to show the difficulties of life, the unpredictable future, and unwilling sacrifice. It is demonstrated through the way the father continues carrying his son, without tenderness, but instead as a way to honor Ignacio's dead mother. The road illustrated the emotional separation between father and son; though together in body, they were divided emotionally. Continuing along the path represented both the faint hope of finding help and the inescapable inevitability of death.

Red Moon

ivanarivera — 2025-08-28 14:15:50 UTC

The red moon was used as a symbol of danger and a threatening future. Rather than giving guidance or peace, it produces a feeling of struggle and despair. it also reveals the absence of comfort in the father and son relationship, suggesting that their path is marked by tragedy.

Barking dogs

ivanarivera — 2025-08-28 15:14:47 UTC

The barking dogs were used as a symbol of both hope and danger. The barking sound indicated life and the possibility of reaching the town, however they also represented judgment and punishment. Ignacio’s inability to hear them shows his disconnection from salvation and forgiveness, almost as if he was beyond redemption. For his father, the barking carried a double meaning: a faint hope of help, but also a reminder of the constant threat of consequences.

Blood

ivanarivera — 2025-08-28 15:20:46 UTC

The blood was used as a symbol of violence, pain, and fatality. Ignacio’s serious wounds turned his blood into a reminder of weakness and life slipping away. Unlike water, which suggests renewal, blood represents irreversible suffering and the closeness of death. At the same time, it reinforces the bond between father and son, showing how their connection remains even in the middle of tragedy.