crow lake
...e deaths as well as the pond also demonstrated that an ending of one life was being part of the cycle. Each death was replaced by the birth of another organism and the cycle of life continued. Considering that the pond represents the continuity of life, it plays a very imperative role in the novel. Seeing as how Matt was the one to introduce Kate to the pond, it is inevitable that the pond symbolizes him. In a Protestant family such as the Morrisons, where it was wrongful to emote, it was difficult to form a close relationship even between family members. But against all odds, Matt created this bond between himself and Kate by taking her to the pond as a child to share his passionate interest and thoughts. Matt's brilliance was also depicted within the pond. When the small black beetle formed his own little submarine, Matt found this miraculous and influenced Kate to 'wonder' rather than 'observe' this truly wonderful scenery. But most importantly, the pond resembled the most tragic event: Matt's betrayal. Matt, being a young adult himself, could not resist the temptation of Marie and betrayed his dearly loved sister, his whole family and himself on that bank by the pond. Kate felt that Matt had betrayed her and their “glorious plan”. When Kate as an adult thinks back to her childhood, her bond with Matt, his brilliance as well as his betrayal is portrayed by the pond, making the pond critical to the story. Even as an adult, so far away from home and the pond, Kate continued to be deeply effected by the pond. Her career as a biologist came as no surprise seeing as how her whole life had revolved around the pond. As a child, she had grown fond of the pond due of her connection to Matt as well as the comfort it gave when she was troubled. More importantly, she feared the survival of the ponds and everything represented by it. During one of her experiments she found a small pond animal named Notonecta that she was quite familiar with. Matt had once taught her about Notonecta the exquisite animal that was capable of gliding on the water’s surface. But when Kate came across it during her lab, she saw the poor creature struggl...