In the short stories Anderson from the “Incidents at the Shrine” by Ben Okri and Mark from “A West Coast Woman” by Jan Hopaklyissumqwa Gould both experience the consequences of being disconnected from ones community. The two protagonists both venture outside their communities. One leaves his culture with his village and the other is determined to respect his people’s values. Ultimately, Anderson is welcomed back into his town and Mark is shunned, remaining unforgiven. Anderson leaves his town to find respect and acceptance in a busy city. He works at a museum protecting artifacts taken from his village that over time lose value in his mind. After being fired by his power thirsty boss, he loses everything including his sanity. The “Seven
