Returning home

The theme of returning home is an important one which extends through the story. The most obvious instance of returning home are the cranes who migrate back to the Platte River each winter. Driven by instinct and ancient memory, the cranes take the same route every year, returning again and again to the water that they need. Another obvious example of returning home is Karin's return to Kearney to care for Mark after his accident. Karen had roamed for years trying out different cities and jobs, but she always gets pulled back home. Unfortunately, Karin had just settled into a condo and was doing well at a job in Sioux City when Mark's accident occurred and she gives up everything to return home to care for him.

Later in the story, after much anguish caused by the Capgras Syndrome, Karin and Mark return home to...