M&D p. 773: The Ultimate Spoiler

[Penny Padgett]

Definite spoiler warning:   look out below










Hi all,

I've reached the end of M&D (with all the sadness and joy that
finishing a great book entails), and declare myself puzzled by
the last lines, spoken by Mason's sons William and Doctor Isaac,
respectively:

  "We'll go there.  We'll live there."
  "We'll fish there.  And you too."

First, I am forced to deal with the fishing imagery, already
evoked several times (say, on pp. 651-2, where M & D and the
Indians speak of fishing in the sky for star-spirits, and 
Dixon runs a commercial for his Amazing Bread Lure).  What
does fishing signify in this context?  Have Mason's sons
accepted the promises of America, and plan to pillage it of
its natural resources as so many other settlers have done?
There's also the association of the fish symbol with Christ;
is that significant here?

Any thoughts on this topic would be most welcome.

Penny