AIDS
...n the novel, the reader can feel Reuben’s adoration towards Davy when they are hunting and Davy gives him an opportunity to shoot a goose from the sky. In this scene, Reuben, “almost sobbing with relief” (7), shows that he feels as if he disappoints his big brother when he almost loses such an easy shot. But Davy, being the big brother that he is, consoles little brother and commends him on his job well done. Another instance of Davy guiding Reuben is during Davy’s jailbreak across the country. While, Reuben is trying to grow to be a man, he looks for help along the way. Naturally, he turns to Davy for guidance. Unfortunately, Davy has gotten himself into a dilemma and therefore cannot help Reuben in his quest for manhood. Even without his brother’s presence, Reuben is able to overcome his fears and worries of a child and take the first shaky step in becoming a man. Through Davy’s love for him, Reuben is able to grow and mature into a man. In addition to Enger’s reference of brotherly love, he uses the relationship between Reuben and Mr. Land. Reuben was born with swampy lungs and was not expected to survive. Fortunately, a very determined Mr. Land “[breaths] air into [his] mouth and nose” (2) and is able to ...