"Finally, far downstream, the old man rose like some ancient water monster and stood empty-handed, staring with his dull eyes as far down the river line as he could see." (O'Connor, "The River," pg. 46)
Mr. Paradise. A name that many would no doubt wish to have if only a name encompassed all that they envisioned their paradise to be. Well, paradise in this story is described as dull, rock-like, and cynical of the world as well as the people that inhabit it. He's ancient with an ancient gray automobile and fishes everyday with a rod that has no bait on it. Everyone wishes to discover the Kingdom of Heaven, a greater realm than the world that exists here on earth, but Mr. Paradise seems to take one day at a time, blending into the background and enjoying life as it is. Harry was so determined to reach the Kingdom of Heaven by following the river that he never thought to look at what bit of paradise he had around him. Mr. Paradise tried to rescue the boy, but Harry only ran farther into the river, to his doom. "Then he heard a shout and turned his head and saw something like a giant pig bounding after him, shaking a red and white club and shouting." (pg. 45) Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our fears propel us into even more danger than we were in to begin with.
Harry was greatly unsatisfied with his lot in life; parents that neglected him, they never gave him any rules by which to follow. He was a character that you could pity, want to scoop up into your arms and make everything right, but have to spank at the same time for stealing, lying, and talking back. He never stopped to think about the freedom and chances that his circumstances allowed him. He could've gone out into the world on countless adventures because of the fact that no one kept track of him. He had the means to explore all around the city and neighboring lands, but he chose to look past his own slice of happiness, searching for the supposed greatest kingdom of all. Even rocks, monsters, and shades of gray have a use: rocks hold us steady, monsters show us what we have to be thankful for, and shades of gray are ever present in all things, no matter what. Rivers continue to flow and so will paradise continue to exist in its own unique, elusive way.
Now if you'd all please step into the river, dunk yerselfs down, and not breath, we'll be on our way BACK!
I totally agree that sometimes we can't control our fears and our fears can propel us into more danger.
Even though I agree that I want to scoop Harry up in my arms and hold him but spank him at the same time, I think that his life is a little more grim than you portray it to be. The complete lack of parental guidance would terrifying to someone of that age. A child needs that direction in order to mold them and if they don't have it, it really messes them up. Or worse, they die.
On the other hand, someone our age would love something like that. We could go where we want and do what we want without any penalties.
I have to agree with Angela's comment on this one. Although I agree that people need to look at the happiness they have around them rather than chase after a greater paradise, Harry was too young to understand this. I believe Harry went chasing after the Kingdom of Heaven because it sounded like something better and different from what he was always used to. I don't think he went after it because he was sick of his present life or because he wanted a paradise. The river just provided an opportunity to explore a new place and one that others around him (such as the preacher and Mrs. Connin) had described as being a great place to be.
I think he was just curious. He wasnt trying to commit suicide because of his poor famly life, and he was too young to understand the true meaning of baptism. He thought that there was another place under the river. To a child his young age, if he is told there is another world beneath the surface, and he can't see it, he is going to try to find it. Remember he thinks, "I won't have to go back to the apartmenet then" (44).
I don’t think Harry was trying to commit suicide either. I think it was more that Harry does whatever he is told to. For example: “The little boy began to shamble toward the bedroom. ‘Come here, Harry,’ his mother said. He automatically shifted his direction toward her without opening his eye any farther” (40). He was told that he should want to search for the kingdom of God, so that’s what he did albeit in a misguided way.
That is a great insight about Mr. Paradise. It must have been hard for Harry to see happiness in every day since his parents are neglectful and don't seem to care. No wonder Harry was happy to leave his house for that one day.