The short story "The Falls" offers an introspective journey into the lives of two men, Morse and Aldo Cummings, each grappling with their own internal struggles and aspirations. Their paths intersect as they walk along the Taganac River, each enveloped in his thoughts until a crisis demands their attention. As the tale unfolds, readers are drawn into the deeply personal struggles of these two distinct characters.

Introducing Morse and His Inner Turmoil

The story begins with Morse, a man weighed down by self-doubt, walking past St. Jude Catholic school. He is immediately confronted with a trivial yet telling dilemma—whether to smile at the young girls playing nearby without being misconstrued or to appear unfriendly. This seemingly minor internal debate reveals Morse’s constant battle to balance social perception and his personal ideal of humility.

Morse's Family Concerns

As Morse makes his way home, his thoughts expose more of his character. He resides in a modest rental home with his wife, Ruth, and their two children. Financial worries dominate his thoughts, particularly the recent repossession of their piano, which his son uses for lessons. Morse’s sense of failure permeates his life—he feels inadequate as a provider, father, and husband.

Cummings and His Aspirations

Conversely, Aldo Cummings strides with an air of artistic confidence. As they cross paths, Cummings dismisses Morse, lost in his own world of literary dreams. He fantasizes about his future success as a renowned writer, imagining a time when his work will be celebrated and his life transformed by fame and wealth.

Contrasting Lives and Inner Worlds

The narrative highlights the stark contrast between the two men. Morse appears to have a conventional measure of success—stable employment, a family—but is haunted by insecurities and a sense of inadequacy. His son, Robert, falls short of expectations, contrasting sharply with their neighbor’s child, Ben, while Morse worries about his daughter's future choices and his wife's past infatuations.

Cummings' Confidence and Illusions

In stark contrast, Cummings, who still lives with his mother and lacks tangible success, is buoyed by unwavering self-confidence. He dreams vividly of a life where he is celebrated by the literary elite, his image emblazoned on fashionable merchandise, and where he can indulge in luxury for both himself and his mother. To Cummings, Morse embodies the society he resists, yet both men share fantasies of success, albeit in different realms—Cummings in artistic recognition, Morse in heroic and altruistic deeds.

Reality's Harsh Confrontation

Their introspections are abruptly interrupted by a real danger. Both men notice two girls in a canoe threatened by the powerful current pulling them towards Bryce Falls. Faced with this imminent peril, both initially freeze—Morse because he fears failure, Cummings due to sheer indecision. However, as the situation becomes dire, Morse, despite his lack of swimming prowess, chooses to act, shedding his shoes and plunging into the river in a desperate bid to save the girls.