The Testament

When preparing his holographic will, Phelan has clearly thought through how to inflict maximum pain on his children. After reading it, Durban notes that Phelan was still “calling the shots” (30). Yet despite his careful staging of events—both with the drafting of his will and the spectacle of the recorded psychiatric exam—Phelan ultimately is not able to control the outcome. His children receive a sizeable inheritance of $50 million each. The only person who does not receive any money is the one to whom he tried to give it: Rachel. On this level, the will symbolizes the unpredictability of outcomes. The will also serves a second symbolic purpose. Phelan refers to it as his “testament,” which is also a word that can refer to mission work. In this sense, the will symbolizes the responsibility to create existential meaning.

Nate’s search for Rachel takes him through the Pantanal, the largest wetlands in the world. His journey is depicted as a contest of sorts between humans and nature. Technology can only go so far in helping Nate and his guides navigate the dangers of flooding, sudden storms, and deadly animals. Their flyover resulted in a plane crash. Jevy’s boat sinks, and Nate contracts dengue fever.