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Water in the Secret River

Water occurs continuously throughout the first part: in constant rain, frozen lakes, and expansive oceans. Water simultaneously restricts and frees William Thornhill—it serves as his only desperate escape from poverty by becoming a waterman on the River Thames. But, he must first learn how to navigate the river through his apprenticeship with Mr. Middleton. With his new capacity as a waterman, William can pull his family out of absolute poverty. Water was William's economic escape; it offered positive socioeconomic mobility.

Nonetheless, even when it seems William has some dominion over his treacherous life through being a waterman, William is still reminded that he lacks absolute control. First, the river freezing over could represent William lacking control over his life. Just like he can no longer sail, he cannot navigate upward through society. He is still an outsider, like how he feels about religion and church. Then, William loses his own boat and must begin working for other companies. What was once freeing is now restrictive.

The author cultivates this complicated relationship between William and water to represent William's existence in society. William is a victim of circumstance: born into poverty, unable to sail on a frozen lake, an outcast in church communities, loses his boat and source of income. 

I'm sure water will be a recurring theme throughout the rest of the book, so I am interested to see how William's relationship to water changes as the book progresses. Will he remain a victim of circumstance or will he be able to take control of his life?

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