Michael’s truth in “A Reservoir Man” is not about the academic truth but a personal spiritual reality. His journey from childhood to the end of the novel has him slowly uncovering who he is while avoiding the corruption of the Reservoir Man. Michael does not view the Reservoir Man as the instrument of corruption but as the carrier of the corruption virus. As he peels away all the restrictions in his life, he comes closer to his own personal and spiritual freedom. Not knowing why these Reservoir Men attempt to take advantage of him, Michael searches for what it is inside of himself that attracts these people towards him. In order to not distract from his quest, Michael does not fight these Reservoir Men, but takes the lesson and moves on in his growth. In the novel, there are few Reservoir Men who truly stump him, delay his growth, and take advantage of him. One of the two most dangerous Reservoir Men in the novel is the Dean of his Graduate school, the other is his business partner. After unlocking the chains that are binding his freedom, Michael can clearly see the world around him. He can clearly see the pain and agony of the Reservoir Men, and the importance of his escape from them. Michael’s greatest image is that of the river and never seeing the same part of the river that is passing him ever again. In the same way the river flows, Michael’s journey always moves forward towards his inevitable truth and freedom. He never repeats a part of the journey or looks back.