How does john change after the fight with the other driver boy in "water never hurt a man"? john feels being a driver boy is too hard and wants to tie-by for the night and lie in his bunk. john has gained a new confidence in himself and wants to continue through the locks. john loses faith in his ability to defend himself and is afraid his father will be angry with him. john becomes arrogant and wants to be known as a bully of the canal like his father.

The correct answer is John has gained a new confidence in himself and wants to continue through the locks.

Explanation:

John is now a braver man than he used to be, after the fight with the other driver boy.

He shows a confidence he didn't have before. He was always afraid of everything, and especially of his father.

In the end, John shows great confidence and seems no longer afraid of his father. He tells him "Water never hurt a man," the phrase his father tells him at the beginning of the story, where he was a scary boy. This proves that he has changed.

"it's more of an essay than story, but perhaps it is best described as a mood-piece: it uses a lot of musical imagery, not to mention sea imagery, religious imagery, and any other imagery that suits his purpose."