When Bucky picks him up to take him to his job at the everglades he tells Offutt, "you don't look too natural for a Naturalist."(page 155) Looking at his appearance he makes the observation that he does not resemble a naturalist. Once they arrive Bucky tells Offutt "Don't let the swamp in."(page 156) he is referring to all the mosquitoes that are flying around. I really enjoyed when Offutt said, "I had voluntarily entered the most hostile environment known to man."(page 157). On his own free will he has chosen a job that is in some aspects horrible. He is being attacked by mosquitoes and learning about his new surroundings. He says,"a hundred and fifty bites per day. I soon developed something of an immunity."(page 158), he is having to get used to the new atmosphere even if it is less than expected.
Offutt soon learns that the work at the everglades is not so great and rather dehumanizing. He says, "We were de-evolved humans who'd chosen proximity to the foundations of our existence, living on neither land nor water, but in a foreign world of both."(page 160). This is a great quote to show what he is having to live with at the job. Living at the Flamingo shows the harsh nature of what they live with, the horrible food they have to eat, and the hard work put in everyday. Although these are all struggles, Offutt makes great effort to continue on. One of the great visual quotes I found in the reading was when Offutt says, "vulnerable and lonely, as if they'd been beached by tide rather than built by man."(page 162). Here Offutt is telling of how the buildings look in Flamingo from the sea. All the buildings seem to be run down and very old.
Captain Jack soon goes with Offutt on his first boat outing. After working together Captain Jack invites Offutt over for dinner saying his wife would be thrilled to have company. We soon find out that they have lost their own son in war. Offutt is asked to stay the night and after being given the talk about the Captains son he feels bad to be staying in his room. He says,"I turned off the light and stood beside the bed for a long time...and slept on the floor"(page 166). From this we can tell that Offutt feels bad for their loss and feels it is wrong to stay in the bed where their only son once was.
Soon we hear of Jacob, the hurricane that heading for Flamingo. Offutt has been tracking the hurricane and graphing where it is suppose to go. He compares his graphing with the one at the ranger station. He says, "Instead of finding my error, I discovered the ranger's mistake."(page 168) Offutt has found that the hurricane is heading straight for them and not hundreds of miles away like the rangers thought. Once finding this news out the rangers quickly evacuate everyone from the island. He goes on to talking about writing up his own will and giving everything to his brother. Offutt is ready for death and is not afraid. He soon realizes that he will not be faced with death because the hurricane is over. He says, " disappointed to be stuck with life."(page 171) which shows that he was ready to go but now seems upset it did not happen.
After this he quits at Flamingo and leaves with Dirt who also quit. Dirt takes him to Florida city. He asks for Offutt's drivers license since he knows people will be after him. Once giving this to him he says, "I watched the proof of who I was drive into the street, turn a corner, and disappear."(page 174). This shows Offutt's proof of existence in the world being taken away from him. After this he ends up meeting Rita. My favorite part of this section was when he said,"We held hands in that narrow space between the two worlds of past and present."(page 176). He goes on to talk about how his family loved Rita and knew she would be good for him. Offutt then says,"I had my goddess. I had my temple. The prairie spread in every direction."(page 177) this shows that he has what he wants in his life. Offutt has a loving wife, a great house, and everything is turning out the way it should.
The baby is now finally ready to come into the world. After being two weeks overdue, Offutt is worried about how the baby will turn out. He knows the baby should be fine since Rita is in great health. Offutt goes on to say, "Only war and birth erupt on their own,"(page 178) He knows the baby has to come at its own time but wants it to happen soon. He is still worried about not being free but knows the life as a dad will be rewarding. Rita finally has the babe and it turns out to be a boy just like they wanted. Offutt says, "His birth was my rebirth."(page 185). I feel he is trying to say that since he is now a new father he has a new beginning in life. He wants to start fresh and make sure the baby has a great life. In the end he says, "Nothing has changed except everything."(page 188) this goes back to what Rita had said earlier on about everything has changed. He now realizes that his life will be completely different. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It has been my favorite read thus far.
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