Reflection of Pontoon A Novel of Lake Wobegon by Garrison Keillor - Essay Example

Reflection of Pontoon A Novel of Lake Wobegon by Garrison Keillor s Introduction This novel is a hilarious novel that simply informs us how people spend their lives and how they enjoy it not forgetting secrets that our parents keep away from us. It also reminds us that life is short and achieving our dreams and objectives while alive is important. What I loved most about this novel is the simplicity of life that revolved around Lake Woebegone and how parents can keep secrets for a very long time away from their children.

Life in Lake Wobegone It is admirable how the Lutheran woman prepares for her death. She has enjoyed her life up to late age and now she has prepared for her death. She has already prepared a will she leaves behind and the bowl where her ashes lie after cremation and the person to drop her ashes in Lake Woebegone. The name of the lake is also significant in the sense to this storyline. Breaking it down to “woe be gone” signifies the exit of the daughter who only comes back for her marriage ceremony after having left her hometown for several years only to find her mother lying dead on her bed.

The name also signifies the coming death of the Lutheran woman Evelyn. The modern marriage ceremony is full of colorful romance with French champagne, wheels of imported cheese and not forgetting the pontoon boat where the ceremony takes place. The parachutes and the hot air balloons bring out a lavish lifestyle that people enjoy in that small town. The romance created in the novel is a point to note. Evelyn spent her romantic last days with her long serving boyfriend whom he did not marry after all.

Romantic scenes created by Barbra Peterson and the fat man are also interesting points to note in this novel. I like the way Raoul, pictured in the novel as a man who likes partying with a cigar in his mouth and always wearing his sports coat. What I dislike about the novel is the way the Lutheran woman wants her remains to rest. The woman should have asked for a descent send off in a burial ceremony. In her will, she declares that there should be no hymns and prayers during her sendoff ceremony.

Kyle who is Barbra’s son and likes sailing decides to pay his last respect to her grandmother by honoring her wish of depositing the ashes in the Lake as she requested. I also dislike the way Evelyn kept dark secrets about her and forgot to visit her family members but instead went partying. It is also sad that Barbra returns home only to find her mother lying dead in the bed. A point of interest is that the Lutheran ministers set a pontoon boat sail on the same Lake where a grand wedding and burial ceremonies are taking place.

It is sad that Evelyn was a Lutheran and yet could not allow the church to conduct her final ceremony. The whole of the town feels the death of Evelyn and I would recommend her ashes be buried somewhere and involve the visiting Lutheran ministers in her burial ceremony. Conclusion The novel is hilarious depicting a modern life in a small town. It is however remorseful that Evelyn dies and chooses a different mode of burial away from the traditional ways that people know in the town. Despite the fact that she has passed on celebrations continues in the small town as other people are seen parachuting, others celebrating beer and wines awhile others skating in the lake.

Reference Keillor, G. (2007). Pontoon Lake Wobegon Novel. Minnesota: Thorndike Press.