How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Nick’s heart tightened as the trout moved. He felt all the old feeling. (I.5)
What an amazing way to convey Nick’s anxiety! Most of us probably relate to that tense feeling in the chest. But what is “the old feeling”? Reader, it is supposed to be vague. What it does say, though, is that this is a feeling that Nick has dealt with before in his past. Maybe he hasn’t dealt with it for a while, but it’s back now. It also tells us that Nick doesn’t want to attach a name, an image, or any real description to whatever this feeling is; it seems like he’s trying to avoid it.
Quote #2
Still, it was too heavy. It was much too heavy. (I.7)
What’s too heavy? The pack? Is it really worth stating twice if it’s just the pack? The words burden and baggage seem appropriate here; it’s as though Nick is carrying something more than just the pack.
Quote #3
With the tent unpacked and spread on the ground, the pack, leaning against a jackpine, looked much smaller. (I.25)
Riding off of the previous quote, setting up the camp seems to have lessened Nick’s burden (as represented by the pack), like, a lot. We definitely get a sense of this idea when he soon after says “That was done. He had made his camp. He was settled. Nothing could touch him” (I.26), as though not making camp was this dangerous, scary thing, and oh thank goodness now it’s done. These strangely reassuring statements are our clues that this isn’t just your average camping trip—something deeper is going on here.