Running The Drift Themes

The novel, Running the Rift, by Naomi Benaron, is about Jean Patrick Nkuba and the race to find himself. The Rwanda Civil war threatened Jean Patrick’s dream of becoming the first gold medalist in track. Jean Patrick was Tutsi, the enemy during the war. Throughout the novel it is prevalent that Jean Patrick would do anything in his power to become an Olympian, but he has a family to protect and to honor. Jean Patrick’s family and his community triumphs over his love of running. Portrayed as a family man from beginning to end in the novel, Jean Patrick grew up in a home where family was important and honorable. Forced to live with his uncle Emmanuel after Jean Patrick’s father died, Emmanuel taught many times throughout the novel that Jean Patrick should be proud of himself and his Tutsi family. When Hutu kids stormed Jean Patrick’s classroom and forced Tutsi students to stand, it was his uncle that gave him the strength to stand and be proud of who he is. “The air sagged with the weight of the question. Be proud, Uncle Emmanuel whispered in Jean Patrick’s ear. Roger’s fingers pressed at his back. He stood” (Benaron 43). While Emmanuel was not Jean …show more content…
Bea is the symbol for pride in her family, and urges Jean Patrick to feel the same. During one of Jean Patrick’s races he met President Habyarimana, whom has rocky history with Bea’s family. When Jean Patrick loses Bea and tries to get her back, Bea and her family inform Jean Patrick that he will lose respect from the President. Jean Patrick quickly came to the conclusion that “I don’t have to decide. I know already” (Benaron 210). Jean Patrick picked Bea and her family over President Habyarimana which has close ties with his coach. Therefore, by being with Bea and choosing family over his reputation, Jean Patrick put his running career at risk so he could be happy with Bea and be a happier, family oriented, Jean