The River We Remember

Think about the dichotomy between good and evil. How is that reflected in the novel’s use of characterization? Which characters are a composite between the two forces? Some characters are wholly evil, but are there any that are entirely good?

How does the novel depict the psychological impact of warfare? Which of the characters are still grappling with their experiences during World War II, and how do those experiences shape their post-war identities? What do these characters suggest about the nature of trauma?

How does the novel represent coming of age? What broader arguments is it making about the interconnections of violence, race, and masculinity in the mid-century Midwest?

The epilogue of the novel uses the metaphor of the river to argue that truth is a composite of individual beliefs, experiences, and memories. Choose two or three characters and explain how their unique perspectives on the events of the novel “flow” together to form a greater, shared truth.

How do alcohol abuse and loneliness function as motifs within the narrative? Which of the novel’s themes do they speak to?

How might you contextualize this text within the broader framework of Krueger’s work? What themes does The River We Remember share with his other novels? Choose one of Krueger's other novels and write an essay comparing the treatment of one shared theme or motif.

How does this novel represent community? Which forces can be said to pull the community apart? What holds it together?

How does this novel portray the connections between anti-Indigenous and other forms of racism? How does racism intersect with other forms of prejudice and oppression, such as gender or class?