Orphan Train

In this novel, the theme of portaging takes on both literal and symbolic meanings.

For example, both Molly and Vivian have literally moved many times, taking all of their belongings with them. Molly reports that the Thibodeaus are her twelfth foster family. Therefore in nine years she has moved all of her things twelve times. Vivian, too, moves frequently in her childhood: from Ireland to the U.S., from New York City to Minnesota, and then from the Byrnes to the Grotes to the Nielsens.

These moves are emotionally painful for both women. Each move represents another instance of rejection by those charged with caring for and loving them. Their forced portages make them fearful of rejection and cause them to shut down emotionally, in an attempt to protect themselves from further rejection or loss.

Kline develops the theme of portage most fully through her character’s symbolic portages, wherein portaging all of one’s belongings represents emotional rather than physical baggage. In this sense of the term, Vivian and Molly are opposites.

Vivian saves everything from her past, as demonstrated by her overstuffed attic, and this tendency to hoard her belongings symbolizes her inability to heal and move on from her past. As the quotation in the front matter states, fear is “often the most difficult burden to surrender” (i).