Gabriel contributed to the destruction of his community by accidentally releasing a chemical compound called Greensweep that poisoned the local water supply. This led to many deaths in the community and created a grim, purgatory-like environment. Gabriel realizes he has a chance at redemption when he saves a drowning girl. He then dedicates himself to rebuilding the community in an effort to make up for his past mistakes. The story aims to show that people deserve a chance at redemption through positive change, though true redemption depends on one's crimes, efforts to rectify them, and underlying motivations.

1. ISU Reading Log 4
By Ashwin Unnithan

2. Setting and
Tone

3. Background Information
• King demonstrates the setting of the novel to be morbid and
filled with death and loss.
• Most importantly, this tone is demonstrated through the
central conflict of the novel which is the destruction of
Gabriel’s community.
• Gabriel contributed to the destruction of his community by
leading the development of compound known as Greensweep.
• Greensweep is a chemical compound which destroys plant-life
upon contact.
• Unfortunately, the compound accidently leaked to a nearby
lake that was used as an essential source of water by Gabriel’s
community.

4. Evidence #1
• “He looked at the vile carcasses in the lake and the
remains of birds on the road…He felt the whole bodies
of animals in the water envelope his feet like a dark
lake in purgatory” (King 32).
Due to contamination of the lake caused by Green
sweep, many individuals and animals of the
community were extensively poisoned. As a result,
when Gabriel arrives, he finds his community to be
barren and lifeless.
Through the viewpoint of Gabriel, King describes the
morbid nature of the community. Essentially, King
conveys the setting’s purgatory-like environment
through the floating carcasses of fish in the lake, the
lifeless remains of birds on the road and the dark
appearance of the lake itself.

5. Evidence #2
• “Gabriel stood as she dragged the bodies from the shore… He fell silent to their gaping
scarlet eyes and plastered faces… When Mara tried to grab her, Gabriel saw the
woman’s bloodied face hug the rock like a crushed starfish” (King 345).
Due to the contamination of the lake, Mara’s parents were poisoned during the
community flood. After some time, both Gabriel and Mara stumble upon her parents’
bodies along the shore. Through this passage, King is trying to convey the morbid
nature of scene.
Most importantly, King tries to convey this feeling by placing focus on the dead-like
characteristics of Mara’s parents such as the “scarlet eyes” and “plastered faces”.
Additionally, the feeling is also conveyed through the horrid state of Mara’s mother
(her body) and the comparison to a crushed starfish.

6. The Human
Experience -
Redemption

7. Evidence #1 – Realizing
his 2nd Chance
• “Gabriel stepped toward the end and felt a hand
pulling his leg like a soul at the hell’s pit… It was
panic of a drowning girl… Gabriel saved her and
carried her toward the shore… Gabriel stopped
himself. He knew this was not the stage for him to
die but rather the stage for redemption”(King 45 -
49).
After saving the drowning girl, Gabriel realizes his
opportunity for redemption. He realizes that God
would not prevent him from suicide if it wasn’t for
another chance to correct his crimes.
As a result, Gabriel abandons his goal to suicide and
pursues a journey to rebuild his community.

8. Evidence #2 – Making a
Positive Change
• “‘I will lead the hut… I have experience providing
underlayment at work. You can trust me… We are
the only ones left. We need to move forward’”
(King 103 – 111).
Due to his contribution to the disaster, Gabriel
believes it is his sole responsibility to rebuild the
community.
Consequently, Gabriel consistently tries to aid in many
needs as possible such as repairing the roof of their
hut. Thereby, conveying his interest to make a positive
change to the current circumstance.

9. Explanation and
Personal Opinion
• In essence, The Back of the Turtle aims to convey that
every individual deserves the right at redemption
regardless of the crimes or mistakes committed.
• Even though Gabriel contributed to the destruction of
his community and the deaths of many individuals, he
still continued to correct his mistakes and redeem
himself.
• Personally, I agree and disagree on certain
components of this viewpoint.
• In one perspective, if a person truly feels sorry for a
mistake and tries to correct to a great extent, I believe
they have the right at redemption.
• However, if a person solely tries to make a positive
change to change everyone’s perspective of them, I
don’t believe they deserve redemption.
• Essentially, the right at redemption is based upon the
individual’s crimes, positive efforts and aim.

10. Reference
• “The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King.” Goodreads, Goodreads, 2 Sept. 2014, www.goodreads.com/book/show/22662902-the-back-of-the-turtle.
• McKenna, Amy. “Where Does the Concept of a ‘Grim Reaper’ Come From?” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,
www.britannica.com/story/where-does-the-concept-of-a-grim-reaper-come-from.
• “r/Wallpapers - Dead Lake.” Reddit, Reddit, www.reddit.com/r/wallpapers/comments/8s0d2i/dead_lake/.
• Brennan, Richard J. “Lack of Oxygen Killed Lake Erie Fish, Tests Show.” Thestar.com, Toronto Star Newspapers, 7 Sept. 2012,
www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/09/07/lack_of_oxygen_killed_lake_erie_fish_tests_show.html.
• Harris, Paul. “Apocalypse Now? Mystery Bird Deaths Hit Louisiana.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 4 Jan. 2011,
www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jan/04/apocalypse-mystery-bird-deaths-louisiana.
• Roberts, Hannah. “United Even in Death: Heartbreaking Underwater Image Shows Drowned Young Couple Clinging to Each Other after Boat from Africa
Carrying up to 400 Sinks on Way to Italy.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 12 June 2014, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2628777/Dying-
Europe-Body-illegal-immigrant-washes-Libyan-beach-fleeing-Africa-boat-sank-coast-Tripoli.html.
• “Redemption Images.” Shutterstock, Shutterstock, Inc, www.shutterstock.com/search/redemption.
• “Second Chance.” GoGraph, Gograph, www.gograph.com/clipart/second-chance-gg75883568.html.
• “Problems And Solutions.” CanStock, Can Stock Photo Inc, www.canstockphoto.com/problems-and-solutions-5567291.html.
• Shorb, David. “Just My Opinion: Your Book Cover.” Medium, Medium, 1 June 2018, medium.com/@DShorb/just-my-opinion-your-book-cover-43faaff5b36c.
• “That's All Folks!” Warner Bros. Entertainment Wiki, Warner Bros. Entertainment, warnerbros.fandom.com/wiki/That%27s_All_Folks!