A Long Walk to Water gives a story paralleled between Salva in 1985 and Nya in 2008. The title although literally, the story of Nya comes full circle when Salva is the one to end her daily long walk to water by the end of the novel. This title, however, can be a metaphor for Salva as well who walked for years in search of a better life which is very much like Nya’s search for water. Both of them walked over the span of many years and both of them came to stop once they had what they needed but the journey was long and treacherous in differing ways.
Salva starts of education and has that advantage because he is male but it is abruptly put on hold when the war starts. He, however, holds onto this desire to learn and continue his education. His curiosity and desire to learn puts him in contact with an aid worker who starts teaching him English. Although it is not explicitly said in the novel it can be assumed that this education of sorts that he gains grants him a better future in America.
Considering this book with a feminist lens one would highlight the evident inequality between the sexes. Although not much is said about women during the war, the opportunities made possible with travelling to America- seem to be solely directed at young males. It is not hard to imagine however the great injustices women faced in addition to that of males. With access to water, Nya is also able to go to school for the first time despite the fact that she is a girl. She is overjoyed- no more walking for water but more importantly gaining access to what was once restricted- education. Nya is living this reality over 20 years later which starkly highlights how basic necessities prevent women and girls from pursuing their education.
Water is of great consequence in Nya’s life but not so much in Salva’s until the war. The lack of it kills people in the desert and having difficulty conserving it and then finally his father’s illness caused by poor water quality. All these experiences of lack inspire Salva to start a business focused on making water more accessible across Southern Sudan, for not only his tribe but the traditionally enemy tribe.
