Why is the natural world so important to Saul and the novel to this point? What does it teach us? What does it symbolize? What does it do for the story?

Nature and family are intimately connected; Saul savors the warmth of the rain while laughing with his brother and reveling in their love for one another. The land isn’t just the place where they are; it is another character in their lives, sharing in Saul’s relationship with his brother just as his grandmother does.