Importance of Water/Swimming

In several places in the novel, Patty refers to the idea of water and swimming, especially the struggle of the swimmer to reach land, and the need for willpower and strength. Patty often feels as if she is drowning, and clings to Anton’s ring (a life ring?) and Ruth’s nurturing love (her life raft, as she refers to Ruth in the last chapter) to stay above water emotionally. However, by the end of the novel, she expresses hope she can learn to swim on her own to land, where she can stand on her own two feet.