Question

with reference to the story 'old man at the Bridge' discuss the symbolism of :the Ebro river.​

Answer 1

Answer:

The Ebro River is one of the longest and most important rivers in Spain. It cuts the country in two along a northeast/southwest line. It is also the name of one of the most important battles in the Spanish Civil War, the Battle of Ebro, which the Republican forces eventually lost to the fascists.

In the story, the bridge at the Ebro River is the road to safety. But for the old man, this bridge has no meaning. Crossing it, he realizes, will not help him. He knows nobody on the other side. For him, it signifies the end of the road.

The soldier tries to get him to cross and tries to comfort him about the animals he left behind. But in the end, the soldier lets the old man stay seated on the wrong side of the bridge.