Identify a major symbol besides the tree and describe its meaning.

• A. The Devon River symbolizes escape, change, and the unpredictable flow of life and decisions.
• B. The dormitory symbolizes safety and routine.
• C. The football field symbolizes competition.
• D. The staircase symbolizes progress.

Answer: (A)

The symbol being tested is the Devon River, which embodies escape, change, and the unpredictable flow of life and decisions. Throughout the story, the river represents movement away from the safety and rigidity of the Devon School toward the unknown and potentially dangerous currents of growing up. Its flowing, changing nature mirrors Gene’s evolving feelings, shifting loyalties, and the consequences that arise from impulsive choices or attempts to escape a defined path. The river foreshadows how a single moment—or the course you choose to take—can redirect a life, much like how the currents can pull a swimmer off course or expose them to risks they hadn’t anticipated. While other settings, like the dormitory or the football field, can symbolize routines or competition, they don’t capture the sense of flux and the lasting impact of choices in the same way the river does.