From striving for self-redemption to physical confrontations, "Blue Hole" exposes all. The characters with their struggles reveal insight and significance into the way they view their world and the way the world views them. Seeing their attempts to cope and find their own niche uncovers the unique way life has shaped them: In "Life Alone the Mississippi," the disappearing livelihood of Jake, a river man, pushes him to desperate and dangerous measures to hold his clan together. In "Following the Trade," one of the ironies of life can be seen when well-meaning John's attempts to better support his household turns out instead to bring the fragmentation of his family. With "The Swan Dive," a lonely and despondent young boy attempts to find value and meaning in life but sees a distorted vision of the beauty of form. "The Pier at Nature's Point" portrays two lonely individuals deeply in love but due to their exceptional circumstances must say goodbye. Then, held captive by her eccentric needs, the beautiful young girl in "Patty," longing for a special relationship, presents a challenge explaining her bizarre behavior. These stories depict ordinary individuals at odds with their world, people forced into life-changing circumstances while running the gauntlet of emotional experiences.