Chasm In Icefield

Authors have used words with multiple interpretations to generate emotion and meaning to the story. Thomas Wharton occasionally uses polysemy terms related to glacier terminology in his novel, “Icefields”, to exhibit a deeper understanding of the events occurring within the story. One of these words that have a more significant interpretation than the dictionary definition is “chasm”. Chasm, a deep fissure in the earth, rock or another surface. It is also, a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings and etc. In his novel, “Icefields”, Thomas Wharton displays that the chasm among the characters can often limit the development of their relationship between each other.

Byrne enjoys the company of solitude and would rarely let

Her character differed from most women in the early 1900s, where they seek satisfaction from the approval of men. Freya’s uniqueness felt like a threat to some because her personality challenged their beliefs. For instance, Celeste, who happens to admire the same person she does, dazed upon Freya’s action of confidently approaching Hal. The way Freya greeted Hal was not “ladylike” in her perspective because she interrupted him while he was reading. Celeste is a woman who believes that a man should be the first one to engage conversations with. On the other hand, Freya is determined on getting things her way. Celeste describes Freya as the “bitch, who wears men’s trousers” (109), signifying that Freya acts more like a man with no dignity. The offensiveness of calling Freya a “bitch” portrays her absurd judgement towards Freya that she wants nothing to do with her since she is unlike the rest of them. Celeste represents most of the women in the world, which their reaction to the situation would be somewhat similar. Due to her peculiar, free-spirited personality, most people do not appreciate Freya’s presence. It has created a barrier between society and herself as she struggles to maintain a stable relationship with the other characters. Although, she does not seem to be bothered by their opinions of her. As a result, she has not

The world is forever pounding on my character… shaping it the way water patiently shapes a rock. Freya is a waterfall” (183). In this case, he is the “rock” while she “is [the] waterfall”, “deforming” his “character” but it did not affect how he feels about her. The negative effects of their incompatibility did not surpass his affection towards her therefore, he chooses to be with her. She could not handle a committed relationship because of her unstable lifestyle. In the section, “Ablation Zone”, Hal notices that “she [is moving] away from him.” (187) She has been restraining herself from letting her bond with Hal progress because she is aware of the inevitable truth that she will not return to Jasper. She tries not to get attached so that when she departs, she does not leave Hal with a deep scar. His persistence to be with her and curiosity towards her relationship with her father has made the tiny crack between their relationship transform into a deeper fissure. When he tries to convince her that he would follow her, she responses with a morbid joke, “Then I guess I’d have to shoot you.” (202) Her reply demonstrates her hesitation of the outcome of his decision. She had been comfortable with being independent ever since; the sudden occurrence of a man willing to remain by her side has led her to respond with a dark