Introduction

"The Third Bank of the River" is a haunting story by Brazilian author João Guimarães Rosa, published in 1962 in Primeiras Estorias (First Stories). Often categorized as magical realism, a genre that blends fantastical elements with everyday reality, the tale occurs in the rural heartland of Brazil. Rosa's evocative prose and intricate symbolism throughout this story solidified his status as a literary luminary. 

This tale explores profound themes of isolation, family, and the unfathomable depths of the human psyche. It follows a son's lifelong struggle to understand his father's mysterious decision to live out his days in a small boat adrift on the river, offering an emotional exploration of the complexities of human connection.

Plot Summary

The young narrator's father, an otherwise ordinary and dutiful man, surprises his family by commissioning a custom-made boat.

It was to be made specially for him, of mimosa wood. It was to be sturdy enough to last twenty or thirty years and just large enough for one person.

Despite his wife's objections and the family's confusion, the father remains committed to purchasing the little boat. He departs without explanation once the boat is finished, leaving his family behind. His wife's parting words are that if he leaves, he should leave for good and never return. The narrator, captivated by his father's strange behavior, follows him to the riverbank. Though instructed to stay, the narrator secretly watches as his father rows into the vast river.

The father's departure stuns the community. Instead of rowing away, he drifts aimlessly into the river, baffling everyone. The narrator's mother feels humiliated but tries to maintain a calm demeanor. Rumors spread rapidly, with some suggesting the father has gone mad, while others propose outlandish explanations, such as a religious vow or a hidden illness forcing him into isolation.

The father never sets foot on land again, continuing to row aimlessly. Initially, the community believes he will eventually return when he runs out of food, but he persists. The narrator secretly provides him with provisions, hiding them on the riverbank. Unbeknownst to the narrator, his mother aids him by leaving food accessible at home.

Years pass, and the narrator's family changes with his sister's marriage and departure, followed by his brother and mother. The narrator remains alone, bound by a sense of responsibility to his isolated father. The community's attempts to understand and intervene have failed.

As the narrator ages, his concern for his father's well-being grows. He struggles with feelings of guilt and a deepening sense of mystery surrounding his father's motivations and his ability to survive the harsh conditions on the river.

Consumed by guilt and a desperate need to understand his father, the narrator makes a final attempt to connect with his father. He goes to the riverbank and offers to take his father's place on the river. To his shock, the father appears to accept this offer and starts rowing towards the shore. However, the narrator runs away, overcome by fear and a sense of inadequacy. The father is never seen again.

Haunted by his failure and the realization that he can never truly comprehend his father's existence, the narrator is left with a profound sense of loss and isolation that will haunt him for the rest of his life. He hopes that when it is his time to die, he will be placed in a small boat, destined to row the "perpetual water between the long shores."