In Craig Lesley's novel The Sky Fisherman, he illustrates the full desire for direction and the constant flow of life. A boy experiences a series of life-changing events that cause him to mature faster than a boy should. Death is an obstacle that can break any man, a crucial role in the circle of life. It's something that builds your past and no direction for your future. No matter how difficult life was, Culver fought through the pain and came out a different person. Physical pain gives experience, emotional pain creates men. “I envied the people on the train because they seemed to be going somewhere” (Lesley, 7). Culver always dreamed and hoped of having a home or a place to be. Observing the people on the train, he has no choice but to envy them because of the opportunity they are given. A fire builds up in his heart and shapes his personality. In the book The Good Earth, Wang Lung envies people for their wealth and opportunities. Culver experiences this, as both men were fighting for something more than what they had. Culver will always strive to find a place to call home, giving it a fire. “As always, we began with hope, but as we journeyed…a pall fell over our little group” (4). Culver has lived a life of struggle, falling into a routine of hope that turns to sadness. He tries to put a positive spin on change, but ultimately fails and loses hope during their journey. His past and personality are shaped by his moving experiences which affect him for the worse. Culver's personality and situation are like those of an orphan, both constantly on the move and losing hope over time. The older they get, the more they move and the less hope they have. If he can never live in one place, he will become desperate and his family...... middle of paper ...... but Jake in a confused state of his life. His love has always been the river, giving him hope, peace, friendship, brotherhood and love. The river gave him everything but now it took away his only brother for no reason. No matter how hard he tries to distance himself from his past, the river is his life and has become his home. The circle of life is an unfair and painful process by which the world balances itself. The river is used to maintain this balance by killing lives and continuing the cycle. As he uses death to maintain this process, he also provides direction and destroys hope to anyone who needs it. Growing up is part of life and becoming a man is a struggle for every boy. This requires experience and knowledge, but even then, manliness cannot mask all the suffering. Unfortunately, life does not have mercy on the weak or the young. Everyone is a victim of the circle of life.