Discovering Your Self-Identity
Who am I? Although this is a question that almost everyone asks themselves at some point in their life, many tend to never truly understand the importance of discovering the answer. In the story The Visit by Lisa Bird-Wilson and the novel Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese, not knowing the answer to this question forces both the protagonists to endure immense pain and suffering. Thus, proving that it is necessary for individuals to recognize their true identity in order to live a successful and fulfilling life. The fact that realizing who you truly are impacts both an individual’s happiness and self-confidence is continually proven by the protagonists in The Visit and Medicine Walk in completely different …show more content…
In the short story The Visit, the boy’s confusion about his Indigenous heritage prevented him from benefitting society. While his inability to take pride in his Indigenous identity restricted him from defending individuals, such as his mother, who were mistreated as they were “heathens” (Bird-Wilson 71) and not white. His confusion about his true identity stopped him from sharing the priest’s sermon that stated that one must attempt to go “to heaven, where Jesus would surely be” (71) with others in his community. The struggles that the boy endured makes it evident that when individuals do not know who they truly are, it is extremely difficult for them to better their community. Similarly, in the novel Medicine Walk, Frank’s dilemmna in determining who he truly was barred him from contributing to the society. Apart from being unable to defend his Indigenous heritage against those who called him “Injun, wagon-burner, squaw-hopper, Tonto” (Wagamese 101) since he was perplexed as to whether he should allow his Indigenous background to be a part of his identity. His confusion in determining if he should accept the teachings of anyone other than the old man caused him to be “aloof and cold” (31) in school. Frank’s hardships prove that it is necessary that one …show more content…
Along with allowing individuals to be at peace with themselves, recognizing who you are at your core aids one in finding their place within their family and positively contributing to the society. Although the journey to self-discovery is a difficult and long process, everyone must embark on it at some point in their life as the answer has the power to benefit them in every area of their
Who am I? Although this is a question that almost everyone asks themselves at some point in their life, many tend to never truly understand the importance of discovering the answer. In the story The Visit by Lisa Bird-Wilson and the novel Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese, not knowing the answer to this question forces both the protagonists to endure immense pain and suffering. Thus, proving that it is necessary for individuals to recognize their true identity in order to live a successful and fulfilling life. The fact that realizing who you truly are impacts both an individual’s happiness and self-confidence is continually proven by the protagonists in The Visit and Medicine Walk in completely different …show more content…
In the short story The Visit, the boy’s confusion about his Indigenous heritage prevented him from benefitting society. While his inability to take pride in his Indigenous identity restricted him from defending individuals, such as his mother, who were mistreated as they were “heathens” (Bird-Wilson 71) and not white. His confusion about his true identity stopped him from sharing the priest’s sermon that stated that one must attempt to go “to heaven, where Jesus would surely be” (71) with others in his community. The struggles that the boy endured makes it evident that when individuals do not know who they truly are, it is extremely difficult for them to better their community. Similarly, in the novel Medicine Walk, Frank’s dilemmna in determining who he truly was barred him from contributing to the society. Apart from being unable to defend his Indigenous heritage against those who called him “Injun, wagon-burner, squaw-hopper, Tonto” (Wagamese 101) since he was perplexed as to whether he should allow his Indigenous background to be a part of his identity. His confusion in determining if he should accept the teachings of anyone other than the old man caused him to be “aloof and cold” (31) in school. Frank’s hardships prove that it is necessary that one …show more content…
Along with allowing individuals to be at peace with themselves, recognizing who you are at your core aids one in finding their place within their family and positively contributing to the society. Although the journey to self-discovery is a difficult and long process, everyone must embark on it at some point in their life as the answer has the power to benefit them in every area of their