Northwind

More than a directional point on a compass, the idea of north has become synonymous with escape, freedom, and exploration. For Leif, living in Scandinavia means that he already resides in a far northern region. Pushing further north for his people involves great risk and unknown dangers. Old Carl’s final words to Leif as he shoves them off the shore of the sickened fish camp is “Go north” (20). Old Carl gives this guidance even though Leif has no reference point, no set of coordinates, and no specific landmarks to aid in his navigation. Nonetheless, despite his lingering weakness from illness and grief, Leif makes going north his goal; he trusts Old Carl’s directions to ensure his survival. As Leif paddles northward, however, his aim shifts from progressing to a certain point to, instead, living in the moment. The harshness of the northern landscape and weather conditions humble him into a better understanding of himself: “As he moved north, saw more, lived more, he knew one thing for certain. He was the smallest part of everything he passed through” (178). Moving north thus symbolizes experience and wisdom and leads Leif to discover his true self as he learns to respect and appreciate the teachings of the natural world.