[The Saucepan Man]

Hence the River is both symbolic of the Fellowship's delay in choosing a course, and the means by which that delay is achieved. They are letting themselves be passively carried along rather than actively making a decision (as the text reminds us both at the beginning and at the end of the Chapter).

Interesting that this passive mode of proceeding almost spells their doom. The River was about to carry them either into the deadly rapids or to the eastern shore were their enemies lay in wait. So, they can only allow themselves to be carried along for so long, unless they are to risk being carried into danger.