Big Water

Question

by Andrea Curtis

Today I feel only dread. I’m sweating again—my cheeks are flushed. I thought I would feel relieved to be back in civilization, to be rescued from certain death, but instead, seeing the town and the men rushing about on the dock, the boats and sails and horse-drawn wagons, I’m struck again by what we have just endured. I want to find Daniel, see his face, know that he remembers too, but he’s tunneled down beneath the blankets like a mole.

“Parry Sound,” Henry calls out, and I see the blankets covering Daniel begin to stir.

Along the shore, lumber is stacked in piles as high as a schooner. It looks like a pencil drawing done with a ruler—perfect, straight lines. Boats, most of them small, meant for fishing, dot the bay here and there. Some are tied up at dock; others are anchored in the water just past the river. The chimney stacks of houses and large wood-frame buildings whisper smoky murmurs into the sky.

I hear the hwah of a seagull and look up, hoping absurdly to see the bird from the other day. But there are many seagulls, all of them flying around like tugboats escorting a ship into harbor.

1 of 3
Question
Use the excerpt from “Big Water” to answer the question.

It is possible to infer from this excerpt something about what Henry and Eva have done for Daniel and the narrator.

What inference can you make?

In 3–5 sentences, state your inference and provide strong and thorough textual evidence from the excerpt to support the inference.

Answer 1

From the excerpt, it can be inferred that Henry and Eva have taken on a protective and caring role for Daniel and the narrator during a traumatic experience. The narrator expresses a sense of dread and emotional turmoil upon their return to civilization, indicating that the recent events have been distressing. This is supported by the narrator's desire to find Daniel and see his face, suggesting that she relies on him for comfort and reassurance. The line, "I want to find Daniel, see his face, know that he remembers too," shows a deep emotional connection and the importance of their bond after enduring such hardship, indicating that Henry and Eva have been supportive figures throughout their ordeal.