The_Other_Side_of_the_Bridge

In the story The Other Side of the Bridge, written by Mary Lawson, the character Arthur is faced with many obstacles. Many of these obstacles causes him to struggle to persevere, and to express his true feelings verbally. As he progresses through these obstacles and slowly overcomes them ultimately he gains, by growing and learning as a character. The death of Arthur’s father, Henry, leaves him with a vast amount of responsibilities, in addition to other workload. With everyone off to war, Arthur struggles alone to hold down two farms one of which is his own and truly feels he must give up. “Arthur said, trying to be gentle but still firm, “I can’t do it mom. I’ve tried. I just can’t cover the ground. Come fall, if Otto doesn’t do somethin’ I’m gonna have to sell the sows,”” (pg.234). This strongly exemplifies Arthur struggles to keep pushing forward for he is resorting towards giving up. With a great suggestion from his brother, Jake, Arthur regains hope and gets help, allowing him to keep pushing forward. Arthur receives help from the POWs, allowing him to maintain both farms and feel a sense of relief. “Arthur felt himself smiling, felt relief flowing through him like a wave of cool cream. … He wanted too fall on his knees and thank somebody, …” (pg.239). This relief causes Arthur to really get over this struggle to continue. Arthur not only perseveres, but he gains a great friendship and true respect from POWs, Bernard and Dieter. Arthur not having any of his friends around, or anything really in common with anyone, struggles to express his true emotion and feelings verbally. Arthur’s inability to communicate and express his feelings to Jake causes Jake to steal the love of his life. “... looked at Arthur curiously, and said, “What’s the matter'” Right then, as he felt the slow flush spreading over his face, as he saw Jake notice it, saw the light dawn, saw him smile, Arthur knew what was going to happen. He saw the whole thing, right then.” (pg.263) Arthur had a great opportunity to speak up express his feelings that were present and had been bottling up from previous incidents but just did not know how to. This lack of ability, results in the teenage pregnancy of Laura finally putting a crack in his struggle to express himself. “Silent Arthur. A man uneasy with words. For the first time in his life he knew exactly what to say. ”Marry me.”” (pg.319) Those two words were the most emotional words he has ever said, and shows his growth in being able to express himself verbally. The return of Jake and the affair, forces Arthur to finally express all his feelings verbally as well as violently. “… he lifted Jake and slammed him against the car again. “Go now,” he said again. And lifted him once more. “Go now.””(pg.343) Finally Arthur spoke out, and let Jake know his doings were not welcomed. Although more of it came out in violence in the end he still learned how to express himself verbally even if it is just two words. Overall Arthurs obstacles and struggles, leave him to learn that indeed Laura loves him and did from the beginning, and also makes him grow as a character, for he no longer has to worry about much. The ongoing uncertainty and “feud” between his brother is defeated. He learns the power of words and being able to use them to express himself and keeps pushing forward in his life. The Other Side of the Bridge demonstrates Arthur struggles with great detail as well as his growth and overall was a great book.