Gender Expectations In Three Day Road

The Role of Societal and Gender Expectations: A Focus on Identity In Joseph Boyden’s novel Three Day Road, the controversial author presents an Aboriginal coming-of-age story with a new perspective on the Great War while in Christina Rossetti’s poem, “Goblin Market,” the sensuous poet creates a fantastical world for a children’s poem. Both works accentuate the doubt concerning one’s identity because of gender and racial binaries which contributes to social status. In Three Day Road, comrades - Elijah Weesageechak and Xavier Bird - are subject to constructs of European standards of Aboriginal men in the early 20th century. In contrast, “Goblin Market” features sisters – Laura and Lizzie – who epitomize the issues regarding Victorian perspectives …show more content…
Her inherently curious personality was present before the goblins called for her and her mischievous decision to purchase the fruits with her lock of hair could represent her desire to defy the convention that women are modest and shy. Lizzie, for instance, “veiled her blushes” (Rossetti 597) as she ran away from the goblin’s temptations. Laura stayed. Regardless of that fact, the goblins lusting for her to come by and purchase their fruits affirms Laura’s virginity. Other critics may claim that correlating the fruits to sexual practices is unfounded as Laura is later cured by her sister’s actions at the end of the poem. Nevertheless, the environmental expectations play a major role in Laura’s …show more content…
Elijah understands that if he returns to Canada, there would still be prejudice. Just as Elijah and Xavier were segregated from the other Canadians while travelling to enlist in the army, their actions in battle would not warrant any change. Regardless, he fully embraces the moment and glory of the otherwise dreary and tumultuous war. Elijah utilizes the opportunity to conform to the Westerners ideals; although, Elijah would most definitely disagree that he would conform to the Wemistikoshiw because of his pride. Nonetheless, he is easily impressionable as Elijah heeds Francis’ – who had briefly met at a bar once – suggestion to “collect evidence of your kills… Take of bit of [them] to feed you” (Boyden 204). After everything Elijah experiences, his resolve to belong somewhere remains resolute whereas Laura’s experience with the goblins leaves her destitute. Like an old age cat, Laura’s youthfulness and energy was spent after the goblins successfully tempted her. In the end, both Laura and Elijah did not obtain what they dreamed to have. Elijah was betrayed by Grey Eyes which understandably, fractured his fragile sense of belonging, and descended into madness while Laura was tricked by the