The Closing of the Weekend

Across the River and into the Trees

This flow traces the novel’s movement from arrival and reunion to departure and death, showing how each day narrows Cantwell’s remaining choices.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Arrival Before the Weekend Arrival Before the Weekend from "Across the River and into the Trees". Arrival Before the Weekend A return to Venice Cantwell arrives after traveling from Trieste through the Veneto.

Arrival Before the Weekend from "Across the River and into the Trees". Arrival Before the Weekend A return to Venice Cantwell arrives after traveling from Trieste through the Veneto.

Arrival Before the Weekend A return to Venice Cantwell arrives after traveling from Trieste through the Veneto. The city receives him with familiar people and routines. A limited stay He has come for a short visit that includes duck shooting and time with Renata. The compressed schedule gives the weekend a sense of urgency.

The First Night Together The First Night Together from "Across the River and into the Trees". The First Night Together Reunion and intimacy Cantwell meets Renata at Harry’s Bar, shares dinner with her, and later spends the night with her.

The First Night Together from "Across the River and into the Trees". The First Night Together Reunion and intimacy Cantwell meets Renata at Harry’s Bar, shares dinner with her, and later spends the night with her.

The First Night Together Reunion and intimacy Cantwell meets Renata at Harry’s Bar, shares dinner with her, and later spends the night with her. They speak of love and imagine a future neither can guarantee. The limit named Renata will not marry him, and Cantwell’s health is uncertain. Their happiness is real but cannot remove the constraints around them.

The Long Morning The Long Morning from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Long Morning Shared time Cantwell and Renata breakfast, talk, and spend further hours together in the hotel.

The Long Morning from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Long Morning Shared time Cantwell and Renata breakfast, talk, and spend further hours together in the hotel.

The Long Morning Shared time Cantwell and Renata breakfast, talk, and spend further hours together in the hotel. She asks about his combat life and he gradually tells her more. Memory opened The conversation gives Cantwell a listener for experiences he usually refuses to write about. The intimacy deepens as the day’s end approaches.

The Final Departure The Final Departure from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Final Departure Goodbye at the landing Cantwell and Renata part after a final embrace, and he leaves Venice with Jackson.

The Final Departure from "Across the River and into the Trees". The Final Departure Goodbye at the landing Cantwell and Renata part after a final embrace, and he leaves Venice with Jackson.

The Final Departure Goodbye at the landing Cantwell and Renata part after a final embrace, and he leaves Venice with Jackson. The portrait and guns travel with him, while Renata returns home. A divided journey Cantwell goes to the shooting grounds and later sets out for Trieste. His route separates him from the city and the woman who have defined the weekend.

Death on the Road Death on the Road from "Across the River and into the Trees". Death on the Road The heart fails Cantwell suffers repeated attacks in the car and asks Jackson to stop.

Death on the Road from "Across the River and into the Trees". Death on the Road The heart fails Cantwell suffers repeated attacks in the car and asks Jackson to stop.

Death on the Road The heart fails Cantwell suffers repeated attacks in the car and asks Jackson to stop. He reaches the back seat and dies after giving his last instructions. The visit completed His death closes the weekend but leaves his final order unfinished. Jackson must carry the portrait and guns back to Venice, where Renata can reclaim them.

The day before the hunting trip

The first evening in Venice

The morning after their first night together

The afternoon after their last lunch

Early evening after the final hunt