Weekly Reflection on Chris Offutt's "The Same River Twice"

• amniocentesis: a surgical procedure for obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac in the uterus of a pregnant woman by inserting a hollow needle through the abdominal wall, used in diagnosing certain genetic defects or possible obstetric complications.

"The baby was missing an ounce of life already, a shot glass of amniotic fluid, and I was afraid that it might be notice. We had taken its water away, like drought. I sat on the bed and apologized to Rita's belly for our invasion." (Page 57)



So far in The Same River Twice it seemed as if Chris did not want to have a baby because he did not want to selfishly sacrifice his life, his writing life especially. However, this quote makes me believe that there is a turning point in Chris' thoughts and since he is reading up on pregnancy and seems to know every small step his wife goes through, I believe that this baby was a blessing in disguise. Rita seems to be taking this pregnancy extremely serious, since she wanted it so bad, and although when they first found out Chris went to the bar, it seems like he is just as serious about the pregnancy as Rita. 


"The whole room has an ethereal, expectant quality, like that of a cathedral in which miracles are rumored to occur." (Page 58)


This quote describe's the baby's room when Chris goes inside and stands in the middle and looks around. His flashback back to his own mother and father using that bassinet, that him and Rita will use for their baby, leads him to remember his father probably felt the same way as his. Although Chris' father was not around during his childhood, he seems to think that his father had the same feeling and emotions. It is so sweet to think that he compares, using a simile, his baby's future room to a cathedral. There is such a turn around in Chris' emotions and instead of the ignorant person he seems to be at the beginning of The Same River Twice, he is now molding into a loving husband and good father that he wishes to be.

• ethereal: 1. light, airy, or tenuous: an ethereal world created through the poetic imagination. 2. extremely delicate or refined: ethereal beauty. 3. heavenly or celestial: gone to his ethereal home.

• brethren: fellow members

• slalomed: any winding or zigzag course marked by obstacles or barriers, as one in which automobiles are tested formaneuverability or drivers for reaction time.

• fisticuffs: 1. a cuff or blow with the fist. 2. fisticuffs, combat with the fists.

• equanimity: mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium.

• coalesced: 1. to grow together or into one body: The two lakes coalesced in to one. 2. to unite so as to form one mass, community, etc.: Thevarious groups coalesced into a crowd. 3. to blend or come together: Their ideas coalesced into one theory.

"Such an insult was tantamount to a Kentucky warning shot, the French musketeer's slap in the face, or the New York faux pas of daring to look someone in the eyes for more than ten seconds." (Page 62)

This quote sums up the "stereotypes" people have about Southern, French, and Northern people. Throughout the story thus far, there has been a lot of different races mentioned, along with their lifestyles and dialect. It is surprising to me that since Chris is from the south, that he is not prejudice towards other races, but then again right there that is me stereotyping people into groups. I like this story because of the equality Chris has and shows through all of his different relations. 

• aficionado: an ardent devotee; fan, enthusiast.

"I watched the sky, wondering if I was living at the edge of adaptability, cherishing the residue of death." (Page 66)

This quote does not really have anything to do with what has appealed to me so far in the story, however I do believe this is an extremely strong quote. After Chris finds out that his boss, Bill, has killed himself, he leaves his current, secure, job and continues to travel until he reaches "the edge of the continent," (Page ??) California. So far, even though Chris is abandoning his home, I can not recall a time that he has contemplating taking his life, however he has mentioned dying. To me, this quote can make us all think about the meaning of life. Are we living at the edge of adaptability? Since I am a Christian, I believe God has a plan for all of us and that we need to live our life to the fullest because we do not know when our last day will come. I interpret this quote in a similar way and believe that Chris has a good head on his shoulders, and along all of his travels he has and will learn so much about himself and others. 

• tarried: 1. to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn: He tarried inBaltimore on his way to Washington. 2. to delay or be tardy in acting, starting, coming, etc.; lingeror loiter. 3. to wait.

"Instead of viewing me with eastern scorn or southern suspicion, they recognized me for what I was, more or less a damn fool." (Page 67)

I absolutely love this quote! Once again, Chris brings up the stereotypes that people have for one another throughout the country, and world. If everyone viewed people for what they were (whether they are "more or less a damn fool" like he is portrayed, it seems) this world would be a much easier place to live. Personally, I was born in the north and lived there for about half of my life and then moved south, so I have seen both worlds and remember "how it is" very clearly. I see, remember, and wonder why there are, in fact, so many differences between the parts of the country but I also think that a lot of the "stereotypes" are not true and they are just started and kept on by pure ignorant people.