There was somewhere, if you knew where to find it, some place where money could be made like drawing water from a well, some Big Rock Candy Mountain where life was effortless and rich and unrestricted and full of adventure and action, where something could be had for nothing.
The quote from Wallace Stegner's "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" reflects a longing for an idealized place where life is abundant and easy, akin to drawing water from a well. It evokes a vision of a fantastical location where people can thrive without the burdens of hard work or struggle, suggesting a desire for an escape from reality into a world filled with freedom and adventure.
This depiction embodies the hope for a simpler, more enjoyable existence, often found in dreams and stories. The mention of "something could be had for nothing" highlights a yearning for unattainable ideals, creating a contrast between the harshness of real life and the allure of this imagined paradise.
