De Certeau defines space as an area where the existence is created
by the activity that defines it so. The definition of place is the establishment
of space. Therein place only exist after space is created and recreated over
again with the same purpose in mind. Such that Grainier’s home would represent
something that is a “place,” while “space” would be that of the entire town of Moyea
Valley. In that the daily activities of the townspeople would create what a
“town” is. Space can contain places, but in theory, it space is the creation of
place. An example would be how Grainier can live in Moyea Valley, but the
Valley itself can change due to external causes. Although the valley can
change, the location in which Grainier chooses to live will still be his home. An
example in the novella would be when Grainier’s cabin burned down, even though
his cabin is gone, the concept of home is not. As long as Grainier rebuilds
this cabin on the same plot of land and resumes doing “home” activities, it
will still remain as a definition of home. This applies to space, too. Grainier
had participated in various locations throughout the novella to aid the
development of the railroads. Each location he had worked on would be
considered as one of De Certeau’s space. This is due to the fact that each
space is occupied for different reasons. His occupation as a logger, for
example, led him to occupy a forest. In that moment the forest is still a
forest, but once it is cleared, it becomes another space. Because they are
occupied only for the moment, they are interchangeable. Thereby abiding De
Certeau’s law of space.
If there exist a difference in space and place, then there is also
a difference in frontier. In which frontier is usually confused as a simple
border separating two different geographical regions of space. Through short stories, Johnson confirms De
Certeau’s explanation that a true frontier is not just a border that separates,
but also a bridge between two unique spaces. Thus one space can and only will
exist when both frontiers and bridges exist. This can be proven throughout
Train Dreams in the series of events in Grainier’s life. The definition of what
is human only exists because there is also a definition of what is not. In
reference to Train Dreams, there exists normal people like Robert Grainier or
Kootenai Bob and the rest of the townspeople and there exists animals, like the
wolves and the wolf-girl. Through this intangible frontier, there is a bridge.
Because of the separation, there is also a link in between the gap. Without
humans, animals would not be considered animals. Without animals, there would
not be humans. Therein it is necessary for a bridging between both
characterizations for the formation of a frontier. Another example would be the
existence of the individual. There can only be a “self” if the opposite of
“self” (everyone else) exists. Grainier becomes a unique character, not because
of his past sufferings, but because of his unique mentality. In an abstract
sense, Grainier has his own “self” and becomes this individual because no one
else has the same outlook as him. An example would be Claire Thompson. Both she
and Grainier were widowed within a few years of marriage. Although both
experienced similar tragedies, both deal with their situation uniquely. In
which Grainier wallows in his past and Thompson moves on towards the future.
Each character deals with similar experiences in their own unique way. The
bridge between these two characters would be the death of their significant
other. The frontier that exists would be their mentality in dealing with the
actual situation. Even in the internal battles within the self, Johnson clearly
outlines that there is the existence of a frontier, as well as a bridging
between the gaps of the two differences. Grainier battles with the differences
of reality and fantasy repeatedly, throughout the mini novel. In which, he has
recurring encounters with the ghosts of his past. In the near real life
encounter with the ghost of his wife, he reinvents her last moments in the cabin
long after she dies, yet he is able to picture the entirety of the event in a
realistic manner. In Grainier’s fantasy, he cannot separate the difference
between reality and fantasy. This illustrates the underlying message that
Johnson tries to recreate, in that there is a fine line that a frontier creates.
This frontier divides, but presents the opportunity for a bridge to form
between two different concepts with similar ideas. Similarly so, Grainier also
stumbles across another man who may knowingly or unknowingly battle with
reality and fantasy. Mr. Peterson had reassured Grainier that his gunshot wound
was the result of his dog shooting him in self-defense. In reality, the occurrence
of such event is not very likely. Even Grainier who can be a bit of a simpleton,
questioned Peterson’s story. The question of what is real and fake can only
exist because of the “frontier” that exist. This frontier can only exist when
the bridge that defines what is related also exists. In this situation the
relationship between truth and lies establish this bridge. Truth is related to
lies in that they both are the counter definitions of each other. Therefore,
reality is directly proportional to truth, just as lies are to fantasy.
In terms of frontiers, bridges, spaces
and places, the subject matter of threshold comes into question. Thresholds can
be defined in many different ways. The definition that usually comes to mind is
any place or point of entering or beginning. In De Certeau’s definition, a true
threshold is any occupiable transitional space. This can be applied to Train
Dreams. Tangible thresholds would be the land reserved for the Western
Expansion. Because of the concept of Manifest Destiny, each space was kept in
mind as a space for transition. In that a place that was once a forest may be
cleared to form a space, in which the loggers will occupy. After all the trees
are chopped down, the space can perhaps become a place for railroads to pass
through. Because of this establishment, it can also lead to the development of
a town due to the settlers that may build their homes in the surrounding area.
The possibilities are endless. The infinite potential illustrates how malleable
this space is. Therein creating the idea of a threshold, since the space is so
flexible, it is always in transition.
Through each story a little more of the Valley of Moyea is
uncovered. We begin to see the Spatial Stories that De Certeau speaks about
through Train Dreams. In which, we are then able to understand the distinct
definitions to the words with similar context, such as the words, space and
place. Not only the similarities of words are explored, but also words that
represent opposites like frontier and bridges are brought into the light. The
creation of such distinct spaces, places, frontiers, and bridges, allow for the
existence of thresholds. Using Train Dreams and the stories told within the
novella, we were able to differentiate and categorize each story to assemble a
distinct definition with clarity.
