Once More to the Lake

One of the essays most striking features is White’s descriptions of the feeling that he has re-entered his past as his father, while his son has taken on the role of his younger self. Why is this impression important to White’s description of his vacation?

Analyze one or more of White’s descriptions of the lake itself. What do these descriptions tell us about White’s feelings towards the lake and what literary or stylistic techniques does he use to communicate those feelings?

Despite the changes White describes, he is insistent that the lake and its surroundings have remained more or less the same since his childhood visits. Do these insistences seem sincere to you? Why does White emphasize the importance of consistency in the face of change?