Bridge Of Clay Dunbar Essay

What is the true purpose of a bridge? To some, it may seem ordinary; an everyday piece of architecture that’s only true goal is to allow people to cross over bodies of water. However, for Clay Dunbar, a bridge means much more than the surface-level definition. In Markus Zusak’s 2018 novel, Bridge of Clay, the protagonist, Clay Dunbar, sets off on an emotionally heavy journey to build a bridge alongside his father. After the death of his mother, and his father abandoning him and his five brothers to live on their own, there is much left that is broken to be repaired. The building of the bridge symbolizes the connection and reconstruction between Clay and the relationships most important in his life. These connections are observed through Clay’s

Clay is on a constant journey of self-discovery throughout the novel, as the loss of his mother caused him to lose not only her, but also himself. As Clay begins to build the bridge, he starts to learn more about who he is as a person, and where he is meant to go in life. “For Clay, there was uncharted triumph, such wonder at what he’d seen.” (Zusak 523). The success of building the bridge allowed Clay to feel pride in himself--an emotion that seems nearly foreign to him. The ‘uncharted triumph’ of the finished bridge came with new emotions to be explored, and a better understanding of self for Clay. He had learned lessons along the way, and figured out how to become himself again. Additionally, the bridge would not have had the same endpoint had Clay not been the one to build it. Clay was the primary influence on the uniqueness of the bridge, and his personality and determination lied within its beauty. “For in the fire the arches were set with, where the river and stone held him upright, was someone so true and miraculous, and something I’ll never forget: of course, it could only be him” (Zusak 519). Just as the bridge could not have been built without materials, it could not have been built without Clay. He is known to be a boy with a constant fire in his eyes, a fire of hard work and passion, and a fire that fuelled the distinctive qualities of the bridge. Even his name speaks to the creation of the bridge, Clay is encapsulated within the architecture. Even though the bridge is able to be easily altered, it still needs much dedication and passion to become its potential, and so does Clay. “You know what they say about Clay, don’t you? Of course you do.” (Zusak 116). As the bridge becomes its best form, so does Clay. This was a journey to truly create himself, as Clay is able to morph into anything,