“Two months later, Clint would be dead—on the Nahanni. And I would watch it happen.”

Chapter 1 foreshadows that Clint the bush pilot will die, and that Gabe’s life will be deeply impacted by that moment. At this point, it is not known how Clint will die or why. This statement is made at the end of the chapter, setting the novel’s tone up for suspense and mystery.

“Raymond Providence was thinking about it, thinking about me. My roommate was wondering if I’d made a mistake.”

Gabe thinks that Raymond believes that Gabe was wrong to move to the Northwest Territories to be with his father. Raymond’s reaction to Gabe’s willing decision to move to the north as a native adds a sense of foreboding to the novel, as Raymond’s disbelief points to the danger of living in the area.

“We were together in this strange place, and the wildness of the place itself was what had bent my rod double, and that wildness was running like electricity through the line and right through my veins. This is why I came, I thought.”

Gabe realizes his love of the wilderness when he goes fishing with his father. The simile of the wildness running like electricity through his veins shows the excitement that Gabe feels when outside. This feeling validates his move to the Northwest Territories from Texas and provides insight into why Gabe is happy to be there.