Healer of the Water Monster

“‘Sháh!’ Nali raised her voice, scaring him. His body tensed up. Her unexpected yell reminded Nathan of slamming doors and long nights of silent solitude in his old room playing video games. ‘Pull that out of the trash. Water is not trash,’ she said.”

Nathan’s reaction to Nali’s scolding illuminates both characters as well as two of the novel’s major themes. Connecting to the theme of Family as a Source of Both Love and Pain, Nathan’s tension shows that he still experiences loneliness and pain because of his parents’ fighting and divorce. For her part, Nali’s “unexpected yell” emphasizes The Importance of Respecting Nature because she is usually patient and soft-spoken. She knows how precious water is because she has endured its scarcity in a way that her grandson has not. Nali’s words gain further significance when Pond’s sickness is revealed. The water monster was treated like trash by the excavation of Church Rock Mine and the subsequent uranium spill.

“He looked outside and saw a tall metal fence with looping razors at its top. They drove past large metal signs that read ‘Warning,’ ‘Church Rock Mine,’ and ‘Radioactive Area.’”

Nathan’s first sight of the mine connects to the theme of The Importance of Respecting Nature because the uranium spill has grave implications for the environment and for Pond. Nathan hasn’t met the water monster yet, but this very mine is responsible for Pond’s radiation poisoning. Church Rock is a real mine where a uranium spill occurred in 1979. Young’s use of real-life details like this makes the novel part of the magical realism genre and underline the points he is trying to make about the importance of respecting nature. The allusion to an actual environmental disaster lends a sense of urgency. This story is not a vague parable or allegory. Rather, the author is speaking about the danger and destruction human activity has inflicted on real places.

“Nathan stepped into his uncle’s footprints. His stride wasn’t as long as his uncle’s, so he had to stretch his legs and carefully balance.”

This scene connects to the theme of Finding the Hero Within because it typifies Nathan’s hero worship of Uncle Jet at the start of the novel. The boy literally tries to walk in his uncle’s footsteps. At this point in the story, Nathan gauges heroism largely by external features, such as his uncle’s muscular build and height. He measures his qualities against his uncle’s just as he measures his stride against Jet’s, and the boy finds himself wanting. Nathan does not yet understand the mental health struggles that Uncle Jet is facing. In time, Nathan will look within himself to find heroic qualities and help Uncle Jet take steps toward healing.

“The water monster rolled back onto his hind legs and raised his head toward the rising sun. ‘With your help, I can bring rain back to this valley, and all the animals will return!’”

Nathan and Pond’s agreement to help one another marks an important moment in the plot. At the time, Nathan thinks that healing the water monster will be easy. He doesn’t understand how difficult this undertaking will be or how it will change him. Pond’s joyous declaration demonstrates his kind, caring personality and his earnest desire to complete his purpose and help the land and animals. Pond’s words also provide some bittersweet foreshadowing of the novel’s ending. Nathan does make important progress toward bringing rain back to the desert, but he does this by teaching Pond’s little sister the songs after Pond passes away.

“N’dáá is not a miracle cure-all, shimá. I don’t want you thinking that after the ceremony he is going to be hugs and high fives. Yes, it’s an important first step to his wellness. But he needs help from a therapist as well. As Navajo, we live in two worlds, and those two worlds have different ways of healing. Shitsilí Jet has to walk both paths to wellness.”

Devin tries to help Nali gain a more realistic perspective on Jet’s struggles and the healing process that lies ahead. Despite Devin’s words of caution, she continues to cling to the desperate hope that the Enemy Way Ceremony, or “N’dáá,” will miraculously cure her son’s depression and alcohol addiction. Eventually, Nathan echoes Devin’s words to convince Nali that Jet needs therapy. Uncle Jet walks “both paths to wellness” by completing the ceremony and receiving long-term medical treatment. In addition, the medicine man’s insight that the Navajo “live in two worlds” is particularly apt for Nathan, who dwells in the real world and the world of the supernatural.

“‘You are very lucky. It’s not every day Holy Beings present themselves to humans, especially in this day and age.’ Devin believed him! Nathan relaxed a little. ‘You don’t think it’s a fantasy?’ ‘Doo ’ájínída’! Don’t call your culture a fantasy,’ Nali firmly said.”

This conversation shows that Nathan is still learning about his culture, and this ties back to Nali’s earlier statement that her grandson has few opportunities to connect to his culture in Phoenix. As the story continues, Nathan grows much more knowledgeable about and closer to his culture. This is largely thanks to the Holy Beings, who help him learn the Navajo language and legends. In this regard, Nathan is indeed “very lucky.” 

“But be very careful to make sure that you yourself don’t get sick from what’s affecting them. Healing is a delicate process. I’m not able to think of anything in particular that might directly affect a water monster, or any Holy Being for that matter. Like their ways affect us, our ways affect them.”

When Devin warns Nathan not to “get sick from what’s affecting” others, he foreshadows the Ash Being. The vengeful spirit latches onto Nathan and infects him with hopelessness when the boy tries to make it stop saying cruel things to his uncle. Additionally, Devin’s words about the interdependence of Holy Beings and humans illuminate Pond’s situation. Humans affected the water monster by poisoning his waters with radiation, and his sickness affects humans by rendering him too weak to bring rain to the desert. The interconnectivity between humans, Holy Beings, and the natural world illustrates The Importance of Respecting Nature.

“Uncle Jet handed Nathan his glasses. ‘All right, dude. Man up. Some little cactus going to make you cry? Then you’ll be a little sissy your entire life. When you’re getting shot at, that’s when you have a reason to cry.’ When Nathan wasn’t able to stop sobbing, Uncle Jet sighed. ‘Here’s my trick. Don’t think about it. Keep moving.’ He patted Nathan’s back and went back into the hogan, leaving Nathan to suffer through the residual pangs of pain.”

The scene with the jumping cactus develops the theme of Family as a Source of Both Love and Pain because Uncle Jet inflicts both physical and emotional pain on his nephew. Concerningly, Jet is unable to empathize with Nathan and makes it clear that he does not know how to process his own pain either. Previously, Nathan heard Nali express concern for her son’s well-being, but this incident is the first time that Nathan sees for himself that something is not right with his hero.

“‘I see much struggle, much hardship,’ Darkness said. All excitement left Nathan. That was the last thing he wanted to hear. Darkness continued. ‘And also plentiful hope and kindness. There’—Darkness pointed to one of the Holy Beings—‘is the sign of the medicine folk. Next to it are the signs of intelligence, and a little bravery. Human youth, your participation would be greatly advantageous for success.’”

Darkness advances the plot and develops the theme of Finding the Hero Within by looking into Nathan’s heart. Nathan passes Darkness’s test, and the Holy Being declares that Nathan is worthy to help Pond. This opens the way for much of the novel’s plot, particularly Nathan’s journey to the Third World. In addition, the traits that Darkness sees in Nathan—“plentiful hope and kindness,” “intelligence, and a little bravery”—foreshadow the type of hero that Nathan will be on his magical journey. The boy shows compassion even to his foes, places others’ needs before his own, and resolves problems with cleverness rather than force. Of course, the observation that Nathan will face “much struggle, much hardship” applies not only to his difficult quest and its bittersweet ending but also to the real-world problems that he and his family face. Through all these difficulties, Nathan perseveres and gives hope to those around him.

“They traveled a while and arrived at a bowl-like land formation. Some bushes and agave stalks were growing at the bottom of its smooth, round depth. The air and the ground were much cooler around here. Nathan hopped off the water monster. The moist ground sank gently with every step he took. The agave stalks swayed in the night breeze. ‘This is what remains of my water,’ the water monster said. His head hung low.”

The emptiness of the water monster’s pond reveals the direness of his condition, which raises the novel’s stakes and builds suspense. Because the Holy Being’s health is connected to the well-being of an entire ecosystem, this somber scene develops the theme of nature. Pond’s full name is the Water Monster of the Agave Pond, and his purpose is to provide for the plants and animals that rely on him for water. Because of this, the radiation poisoning and the subsequent drought erode both the Holy Being’s health and his sense of identity.

“‘You’re coming in, man.’ Uncle Jet left the bow guard next to Nathan. ‘You’re the reason I’m doing this in the first place.’ Uncle Jet left.”

Uncle Jet’s words develop the theme of Family as a Source of Both Love and Pain by revealing the healing effect that Nathan’s love has on him. Despite his distrust of medicine men, Jet is willing to have a diagnosis meeting because of his nephew. This scene contains some dramatic irony because Nathan helped him in more ways than the man realizes. Nathan temporarily frees Uncle Jet from the Ash Being by inadvertently transferring the vengeful spirit to himself, and the Ash Being robs Nathan of his energy and positivity during this conversation with Jet. This scene also introduces the bow guard, which becomes one of the most important objects in the story. The bow guard develops the motif of communication because Nathan wears his communication stone on it for most of the novel.

“‘I’m not that special. I mean, there must be others who can do this, too,’ Nathan said, hoping someone else could go in his place to the Third World.”

Nathan’s words to First Turkey after Pond’s diagnosis meeting show that he still needs to find his confidence and courage. Even though the Holy Beings consider him worthy of the quest to the Third World, the boy does not see himself as a hero yet. This corresponds to the Refusal of the Call in the Hero’s Journey.

“In one of the pawnshops in Gallup, Nathan stared at the rows and rows of bracelets, rings, bow guards, and stones displayed in glass cases. Price tags with large numbers sat next to each piece of jewelry.”

The description of the pawnshop shows that the exploitation of Navajo people parallels the exploitation of their ancestral homelands. The “rows and rows” of jewelry subtly indicate the poverty that many individuals on the reservation experience and the dearth of financial options available to them. Nali enters this predatory establishment and parts with some of her most prized possessions to pay for the Enemy Way Ceremony because she is desperate to make her son whole. This painful decision is made out of love and connects to the theme of Family as a Source of Both Love and Pain.

“‘I’m so scared,’ Nathan said, folding to the ground and hugging his knees. ‘I wouldn’t send my friend into danger,’ Pond said, crawling next to him. Nathan’s heart swelled when he heard Pond call him his friend. Nathan looked into his greenish-yellow eyes. Nathan hugged Pond’s neck and whispered into his ear, ‘I trust you, friend.’ Nathan was finally able to breathe. ‘Wind Being, Darkness? I’ll do it.’”

This exchange between Pond and Nathan marks the vital moment when the protagonist overcomes his reluctance and finds the courage to continue on his quest. In the Hero’s Journey, this stage is known as Meeting the Mentor. By this point in the novel, Nathan has met many wise mentor figures, including Nali, Devin, and Darkness. However, what ultimately gives him courage is the knowledge that Pond sees him as a friend.

“Each time [his mother cried], he wondered how his father could do this to his mom. He hated his father for it, and at the same time he still loved him. Those two feelings were always in him, fighting each other—like the way his mom and father were constantly fighting with each other. He remembered trying to keep his grades up so that they wouldn’t argue over his academics when they were all living together. He remembered trying to hide things, like picking up after his father because his mom hated how he left things lying around the house. It was always like that, like he was desperately tiptoeing through a field of buried explosives.”

This passage offers insights into Nathan’s character and develops the theme of Family as a Source of Both Love and Pain. His parents’ fights influence many of his traits, such as his tendency to act as a peacekeeper, his careful consideration of others’ emotions, and even his academic excellence. The simile that likens his family life to “tiptoeing through a field of buried explosives” underscores Nathan’s fear and pain.

“Uncle Jet stopped and dropped the duffel bag. When he turned around, there were tears in his bloodshot eyes. He said, ‘What do you know about that drunk? What did he ever do to help out around here? He did nothing. He was worthless.’”

Uncle Jet’s fight with Nali immediately before he leaves marks a crucial moment in the novel. Young builds suspense by making his readers wonder if Jet will be able to complete the ceremony and receive the help that he needs. The author intensifies the suspense by including the word “worthless” in Jet’s dialogue. The Ash Being frequently uses this word to torment Uncle Jet, so its appearance in this scene implies that the cruel, vengeful spirit has latched onto the man once more.

“‘Please, don’t give up on Uncle Jet. We can still help him. We can still heal him.’ ‘Nathan, stop.’ Nali peeled herself away from his hug and held his shoulders at arm’s length. ‘Do it for me,’ Nathan said. ‘I still believe we can help him.’ Nali didn’t say anything for a few moments. Nathan stared into her eyes and matched her silence. Slowly he saw the kindness re-form and warm the depths of her eyes.”

By convincing Nali not to give up on Uncle Jet, Nathan illustrates what Darkness said about Nathan’s heart being filled with tremendous kindness. The boy has his own reasons to feel hurt and angry toward his uncle. After all, Jet disregarded Nathan’s safety by taking him to a party where Nathan was injured and robbed by violent, intoxicated adults. Nathan also has plenty of other problems to deal with, especially Pond’s rapidly dwindling health. However, the young hero refuses to give up on his uncle. Nathan’s compassion melts the icy emptiness in his grandmother and rekindles her kindness as well.

“They didn’t have enough money to pay Uncle Jet’s fine. Nathan’s eyes blurred from frustration, and everything became fuzzy. He rubbed his eyes. His vision returned and Nathan saw the dead pawns, beautiful rugs and dazzling jewelry. Nathan wondered how many people had been in their same position, pawning everything they had to make ends meet.” 

The white pawnbroker exploits Navajo individuals’ poverty and desperation. This was foreshadowed when Nathan and Nali visited the pawnshop in Chapter 14. Their situation is even more urgent in this chapter because Uncle Jet is in an adult detention center and Nali already sold all her treasured rugs and jewelry to pay for the ceremony. Nathan demonstrates heroic selflessness and resolves their dilemma by selling his smartphone.

“If he had his bow guard, Nathan knew that he would have heard the Ash Being tormenting Uncle Jet. An uneasy feeling grew in Nathan whenever he looked at Uncle Jet. He didn’t exactly know how or why, but Nathan knew that Uncle Jet was about to do something drastic. Possibly something scary.”

Nali feels reassured after she and Nathan bail Uncle Jet out of the adult detention center, but Nathan remains vigilant. The mood is taut with suspense due to word choices like Nathan’s sense that Uncle Jet is about to do “something drastic” and “scary.” Nathan’s foreboding feeling foreshadows Uncle Jet’s suicidal ideation in the next chapter.

“‘You’re not worthless. You’re not worthless.’ [....] ‘It’s not true,’ Uncle Jet said. His body shook as he sobbed. ‘You’re not. But you have to try, Uncle Jet. We’re all trying to help you. But you have to try, too.’”

During this crucial moment in the novel, Nathan’s courage and compassion save his uncle’s life. This moving scene develops the themes of Family as a Source of Both Love and Pain and Finding the Hero Within. Nathan knows from experience what the Ash Being does to people. His repeated urging that Uncle Jet is “not worthless” is so important for Uncle Jet to hear and also so difficult for him to accept because it’s the antithesis of the lies that the Ash Being whispered to him for so long. Nathan refuses to leave his uncle’s side or allow him to die believing those lies. This turning point allows Uncle Jet to finally admit that he needs help and take necessary steps toward healing. Nathan’s journey to the Third World still lies ahead of him, but he has already proven his heroism by saving his uncle.

“You are very blessed to be at their service. ‘Doesn’t feel like it at times.’ Oh, it is. It may be difficult. It may feel impossible. You are the only one who can do this. Otherwise they would have gone with someone else. You are more important than you know. Not only to Diyin Dine’é, but also your nálí ’adzą́ą́, and your uncle.”

Before Nathan begins his journey to the Third World, Devin blesses him and reminds him of his importance. The medicine man observes that his significance comes not only because of his connection to the “Diyin Dine’é,” or Holy Beings, but because of his importance to his uncle and grandmother as well. Nathan already made a monumental difference in his family members’ lives by restoring their hope and saving Uncle Jet from a moment of complete despair. Devin warns Nathan that it may “feel impossible” to do what the Holy Beings ask of him. This foreshadows the difficulty of Nathan’s quest, which forces him to face his fear, his self-doubt, and the pain of his parents’ divorce.

“His father said, ‘I thought you wanted parents who didn’t fight.’ ‘I want’—Nathan stared at them—‘parents who are happy! Even if it means they have to be divorced. Thank you for letting me relive this moment, but I need to get back to my friends.’”

The third obstacle that Nathan faces on the way to the Third World is a dream that weaves his family life into his supernatural journey. This forms a connection between the themes of Finding the Hero Within and Family as a Source of Both Love and Pain. Nathan places his parents’ happiness ahead of his desire for them to be together and accepts their divorce after struggling with it for much of the novel. The third obstacle is designed to trap self-centered people in eternal slumber, and Nathan’s selflessness allows him to break free. Thus, this passage marks a moment of important personal growth for Nathan as well as a vital step forward on his heroic quest.

“‘So, everything I did was worthless?’ Nathan asked. ‘You gave Pond a great pool of hope, for his own health and for the return of the rains. Hope is a very powerful medicine and can give every minute we have alive a great deal of meaning and worth. There is someone else, my heart, who you have given hope.’”

When Changing Woman comforts Nathan, she offers a way for the novel’s title to ring true despite Pond’s death. Nathan is still the healer of the water monster because he brought Pond the “powerful medicine” of hope and so gave the last weeks of his friend’s life “a great deal of meaning and worth.” Changing Woman’s words about hope also underline the parallels between the novel’s two main plotlines, which follow Nathan’s efforts to heal Pond and Uncle Jet.