The Hermit Story -

The narrator uses the word grace in line 60 and lines 434 a 461. What idea does he suggest through the use of this word?

The idea that has been suggested through using the word 'grace' is that there are moments of grace; unearned and undeserved, around us that we need to observe.

Explanation:

"The Hermit's Story" is a short story written by Rick Bass. The story is about the magical world.

It is evident in most of Rick's story that people found grace in the elements of earth, sky, water, etc.

In "The Hermit's Story" as well, people found grace in elements such as water, animals, etc.

The idea that the author wants to suggest using this word is that there are moments of grace around us, only we need to observe them. The author wants to convey that just like there was a magical world beneath the ice surface, there's is a magical and essential things beneath the surface of the body, that is soul.