Abel's Island

Amanda is Abel’s wife of one year. The scarf she wears on their anniversary picnic becomes lost in the wind, and then Abel becomes lost in a storm trying to rescue it. During his year trapped on the island, Abel’s memories of Amanda sustain Abel as he fights to survive. Amanda’s significance transcends her physical absence because Abel feels so connected to her that he believes he can communicate with her through his thoughts. Eventually, Abel creates an effigy of Amanda and speaks to it as if it were she. He also sends messages down the river and hopes she will receive them. Though Abel often becomes distracted by his need to survive the elements, his desire to reunite with Amanda motivates him to persevere. Abel keeps the scarf with him to make him feel closer to Amanda, and it becomes a symbol of their enduring love.

Undistracted by civilized life, Abel has time to ponder his wife’s character: “Amanda was dreamy. It often seemed she was dreaming the real world around her, the things that were actually happening” (43). Through his musings, Abel understands and appreciates the differences between him and his wife. Though he worries she has moved on and remarried in his absence, when he returns home, she is overjoyed. He symbolically lays the scarf on the table as a sign of his return and of his commitment to her since, despite all his travails, he never lost it. 

Owls are predatory birds but often symbolize wisdom and knowledge. However, when an owl begins stalking his shelter, Abel views the owl as an ominous interloper. Having vanquished every other challenge nature has thrown at him, the owl’s appearance marks a low point for Abel as he struggles with how to defend himself against the predator. The text describes his fear: “This was bone-chilling, to be approached so noiselessly by a winged assassin” (61). Despite spending many months in survival mode on the island, Abel still views himself as a superior creature. He refuses to recognize the kinship he shares with the owl, which is also trying to survive. Sparring with the owl pushes Abel to newer levels of instinctual survival and resourcefulness as he transforms his small penknife into a spear. Though he successfully defeats the owl, its presence vexes him. Abel views the ordinary bird as a mystical visitor sent to torture him. The experience pushes Abel to mysticism to exorcise what he sees as a demonic presence while the stately owl sits in the tree to watch the spectacle. The owl represents the perils of nature for small animals and emphasizes the wildness of nature as all creatures fight for survival.

After Abel spends nearly a year in complete solitude, Gower Glackens, a frog, washes down the waterfall and onto the island. Gower arrives on the island in the same way Abel did and emerges from the water disoriented and confused. Abel immediately attaches to the frog; he delights in showing Gower around the island and in explaining how he has made it his home. Though Gower appreciates Abel’s hospitality, he has a singular focus on returning to his family. Abel enjoys Gower’s company but can’t fully understand his amphibious ways because Gower appears to be more in touch with his creaturelike nature than Abel is. The narrative states, “Abel saw him as crude, but utterly charming” (87). After Abel creates Gower’s statue, the frog marvels at his skill and deems it a masterpiece. Until Gower’s arrival, Abel had never thought of himself as an artist. As Gower leaves, Abel says, “Knowing you, dear Gower, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life” (94) because the frog has seen and validated news aspect of Abel’s personality. Gower’s departure plunges Abel into a deep sadness. However, Gower’s commitment to returning to his family inspires Abel to attempt an escape once again.