The direction of the rivers’ flow foreshadows Baldini’s prosperity and impending downfall. The movement of water towards Baldini indicates his success. One could “see everything flowing towards him . . . his business prospering, family thriving, and women threw themselves at him.” (59) The money circulates in the same manner as the water because it never becomes stagnant. Moreover, his success continues to increase all the while the stream of water continues to flow. As he looks outside “it seemed the direction of the river had changed: it was flowing toward Baldini, a shimmering flood of pure gold.” (65) In addition to potential entrepreneurial success, he also acquires wealth. The shimmering flood gives a glimmer of hope from his current
