Water

The theme of water in the novel represents growth, destruction, and cycles. Water is the central theme throughout the novel. The creation story that “I” tries to tell so many times always begins with water everywhere. The signature of the mischievous four Indians is a puddle of water, as it shows up underneath each car before they go missing. It rains before the Sun Dance begins.

The repeated question, “Where did all the water come from?” is like a chicken and egg scenario; the water always existed before anything else. In this sense, water is inextricable from creation. It is a mode of growth. Without water, nothing else would exist.

On the other hand, water is destructive. It is foundational to the imagery and history of slave or colonial ships; water enables these vessels of dehumanization, looting, and erasure. It is also literally destructive, as it...