Once More to the Lake
-By E. B. White
Summary and Analysis
The
essay "Once More to the Lake" is written by E.B. White. The essay is
a recollection of childhood memories related to the lake, Belgrade Lake, where
he visits after a long time. The place is his ideal one. He loves it too much
because it is his vacation spot. So, he revisits it after a long time. Now, he
is a mature man.
He
becomes nostalgic (sentimental) after reaching the place because it reminds him
of his childhood, which was full of joy and happiness. Now, he is a mature
person. He has different obligations and duties to fulfill in his life, unlike
his childhood carefree time. So, he becomes serious after comparing his
childhood visit to the place with his present one. He brings his son Joel to
the spot. He presents his experiences with his son in this place.
We
find an internal struggle of the writer in this essay. He struggles with his
mind, which is divided into two parts: childhood memories and present visit. He
finds different changes in the place. He finds noisier boats there.
Once,
there was a serene (peaceful) atmosphere. But now it is full of noise. So, he
thinks that technology has created such an atmosphere. Such damage to the
environment is caused by technology.
White
compares his past childhood fishing time with the present time with his son
white visiting the lake. While visiting the lake with his son, White becomes
serious, remembering his upcoming death.
He
thinks that death is very close to him. He is a grown-up man as well as a
responsible father. The death is going to choose him instead of his son. He
feels that human lives are mortal, but memories and experiences are immortal.
Memories
survive forever in our minds. Technology is capturing our world. But his son is
still enjoying the same nature as the writer in his childhood. He used to
sneak (steal) in the morning like his son. His son is amused by the dragonflies
like him in the past.
Theme/Central Point:
The
essay presents the writer’s experiences after revisiting the lake in Maine. He
desires to recollect his childhood time of visiting the lake instead of
enjoying the place. He brings his childhood eyes to see the lake. So, the essay
presents the theme of nostalgic childhood memories of the writer.
In
the same way, it also presents the theme of immortal nature vs mortal human
life. Human lives decline, but nature survives forever in different forms. The
writer becomes serious after remembering his upcoming death.
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