Baptism is a rite of ritual or symbolic cleansing. As a Christian sacrament, it has its roots in Jewish purification rites. Several places in the Old Testament and other Jewish texts, immersion in water is involved in the process of purification in order to be restored to a state of “ritual purity.” This state of ritual purity is usually necessary for an individual to return to full membership in his or her community. Immersion is required for converts to Judaism as part of their conversion. According to Jewish law, immersion in the mikvah, like Baptism for the Christian, represents a change in status, a purification, a restoration, and a state of qualification for full religious participation in the life of the community. Christians especially note several instances of immersion in, or passage through, water as representatives of baptism. These include:

·  Noah’s flood—Genesis 7.

·  The passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea—Exodus 13.

·  The Israelites’ crossing the River Jordan into the Promised Land—Joshua 13.

·  Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan—Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3.

Among various Christian denominations, the Rite of Baptism can be performed either by a sprinkling of water onto the head of an infant, or an adult’s full immersion in a body of water. Depending on the denomination, the rite represents:

·  a mark of separation, affirming that the baptized’s sins have been forgiven;

·  spiritual rebirth;

·  the public declaration of one’s faith;

·  an internal change in the baptized;

·  the end of an old way of life, and the start of a new life.

As an archetypal symbol, then, episodes of washing, swimming—any touching or entering into water—can represent the rite of baptism, a ritual, spiritual cleansing, the end of an old life and the beginning of a new, the death of a former self and the birth of a new.

Reread the description of the formation of the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session—especially the game of jumping into the Devon River. Evaluate Gene’s first dive into the river.

1.  What are they boys accomplishing with this game?

2.  What does this game represent for Finny?

3.  What does it represent for Gene?

4.  What is the impetus that makes him jump?

5.  What “faith” or “belief” is he embracing in his jump?

6.  What “old self” is dying and “new self” being born?

7.  Do these interpretations hold throughout the rest of the jumps into the river?

Reread Gene’s fight with Quackenbush.

8.  What is the actual cause of the fight?

9.  What “faith” or “belief” is Gene embracing in his “jump”?

10.  What “old self” is dying and “new self” being born?

11.  How does this fight serve as the introduction to the second thematic half of the novel?

12.  How is the boys’ falling into the Naguamsett different from the jumping into the Devon? How are they similar?

13.  How does Gene himself contrast being in the two rivers (Chapter 7)?

14.  Can Gene’s immersions into the Devon and Naguamsett Rivers be interpreted as symbolic baptisms. If they can, what transition or renewal is marked by each of Gene’s “baptisms”? How do these events help to reveal the theme of the novel?


Choose roles for each group member:

·  Leader: encourage group members; makes sure everyone is heard

·  Time Keeper: keeps group members on task; watches to make sure time is allocated properly

·  Recorder: writes down the information for the group; each group may have more than one recorder

·  Presenter: all group members should present their information to the class

·  Errand Monitor: briefly leaves the group for supplies or help from the teacher

Character Archetypes:

a.  the HERO

b.  the SCAPEGOAT

c.  the LONER or OUTCAST

d.  the VILLAIN

e.  the SAGE

Review the book and select one or more characters who can reasonably be interpreted to fill the group’s character archetype; find evidence to support that group’s interpretation.

Discuss interpretations and develop a broader interpretation of the novel that incorporates as many of the individual archetypal interpretations as possible.

Situational Archetypes:

  1. the QUEST
  2. the RENEWAL OF LIFE
  3. INITIATION
  4. THE FALL
  5. REDEMPTIVE SACRIFICE

Review the book and select one or more events or motifs that can reasonably be interpreted to fill the group’s situational archetype; find evidence to support that group’s interpretation.

Discuss interpretations and develop a broader interpretation of the novel that incorporates as many of the individual archetypal interpretations as possible.

Report your findings.