Luck is a prominent motif in the story and reinforces the role of chance in daily life, particularly the helplessness of humans before the forces of Nature. The word is present in the title and is frequently repeated throughout the story. It’s also implied in the setting; the Gold Rush and prospecting are both endeavors that require good fortune to succeed. As the story opens, the men demonstrate their familiarity with gambling, placing bets on whether Cherokee Sal and her baby will survive her labor.

Luck refers both to Tommy himself and the hope and good fortune that he brings to the camp. Except for his mother’s death, Tommy brings good luck. The men themselves improve with his presence, and the claim becomes even more successful. But as luck can turn, so does the motif’s meaning. The narrator observes ripples in the smooth procession of the “golden summer” (6) days. He remarks that Tommy’s contentment is “to be hoped” (7), while the boy’s contemplative gravity worries Stumpy. In the end, the camp’s luck turns and brings a fatal flood, emphasizing how nature can give and destroy life in equal measure.