The Final Journey and Its Symbols

Across the River and into the Trees

This flow follows the recurring images of rivers, roads, and trees as they connect Cantwell’s memories of war to his last drive and his approach to death.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The River of the Wound The River of the Wound from "Across the River and into the Trees". The River of the Wound Returning to the site Cantwell revisits the riverbank where he was badly wounded decades earlier.

The River of the Wound from "Across the River and into the Trees". The River of the Wound Returning to the site Cantwell revisits the riverbank where he was badly wounded decades earlier.

The River of the Wound Returning to the site Cantwell revisits the riverbank where he was badly wounded decades earlier. He marks the place with a small ritual and a buried banknote. Memory made physical The river and earth turn an old injury into a private monument containing blood, money, and the land itself. Cantwell’s past remains rooted in a specific landscape.

Waterways of Belonging Waterways of Belonging from "Across the River and into the Trees". Waterways of Belonging A familiar passage Cantwell travels the canals to the Gritti, watching bridges and moored boats.

Waterways of Belonging from "Across the River and into the Trees". Waterways of Belonging A familiar passage Cantwell travels the canals to the Gritti, watching bridges and moored boats.

Waterways of Belonging A familiar passage Cantwell travels the canals to the Gritti, watching bridges and moored boats. Waterways serve as the city’s streets and as routes through his own memories. Home in motion He knows how the tide pulls at posts and how boats move through narrow passages. His sense of belonging comes from this detailed, embodied knowledge.

The Island in the River The Island in the River from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Island in the River A shared metaphor Cantwell and Renata use the image of an island in a river as they try to describe physical intimacy.

The Island in the River from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Island in the River A shared metaphor Cantwell and Renata use the image of an island in a river as they try to describe physical intimacy.

The Island in the River A shared metaphor Cantwell and Renata use the image of an island in a river as they try to describe physical intimacy. The language turns the Venetian setting into an image of discovery and closeness. Temporary ground The island is found and lost, like the security their relationship cannot hold. The metaphor’s beauty depends on its impermanence.

The Road Toward Trieste The Road Toward Trieste from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Road Toward Trieste A route chosen Cantwell turns the car away from the direct road to Trieste and asks Jackson to follow his directions.

The Road Toward Trieste from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Road Toward Trieste A route chosen Cantwell turns the car away from the direct road to Trieste and asks Jackson to follow his directions.

The Road Toward Trieste A route chosen Cantwell turns the car away from the direct road to Trieste and asks Jackson to follow his directions. He needs time to think after the farewell and the hunt. The old landscape returns The familiar road brings back the Veneto terrain where his military life began. The journey outward becomes a passage through memory as well as geography.

Across the River Across the River from "Across the River and into the Trees". Across the River A remembered phrase Cantwell recalls the reported last words of Stonewall Jackson about crossing a river and resting beneath trees.

Across the River from "Across the River and into the Trees". Across the River A remembered phrase Cantwell recalls the reported last words of Stonewall Jackson about crossing a river and resting beneath trees.

Across the River A remembered phrase Cantwell recalls the reported last words of Stonewall Jackson about crossing a river and resting beneath trees. The phrase gives him language for the death he senses approaching. A quiet ending He asks Ronald Jackson to pull over, reaches the back seat, and dies. The river and trees offer no literal escape, but frame his final transition with the image of rest.

During Cantwell’s earlier visit to Fossalta

During the first boat journey through Venice

During the gondola night

After the duck hunt, at early dusk

During the final heart attack