THE INNER CONFLICT
Topic: Conflict arises when a character beliefs and desires are incompatible with the reality he/she faces. The feelings of desertion can cause mental destructions to great extents, weather one is deserting their religion, culture, or way of being. Not being able to stay true to oneself is the ultimate loss of liberty. We are forever kept in the suffocating enclosure of our own deteriorating mental prisons. This specific theme of failing to find balance between reality and one’s personal beliefs and desires is weaved throughout the story of Three day road by Joseph Boyden . In fact the underlying basis of the entire story is concerning the theme of the conflicts that arise when the beliefs and desires of characters in …show more content…
Each individual faces their own fair share of difficulties but in entirety all of their problems branch under the exact same core issue of the inner conflicts they face in efforts of preserving their cultural roots.
Residential schools have one main purpose, to rid one of his or her cultural roots. Niska, Xavier, and Elijah all faced the brutalities of the residential schools, there is continuous conflict for each of them to face while being in a place where their Indian beliefs completely conflict the reality of what is force fed to them to strip them of their background. It is a constant battle for all three to remain true to their roots while constantly being forced into the assimilative practices of the wemistikoshiw all through their life. Niska faced continues conflict with the women at the residential school. “When the Children came back they were different, speaking in the wemistikoshiw language, talking back to their parents, fighting and hitting one …show more content…
Killing, except for hunting or diminishing windigos, does not really seem to be an Indian thing to do and Xavier is consciously affected by the brutalities of the war lifestyle. Later on the book we find out how he wished that the war would soon end and they could return back home. He notices how Elijah has changed dramatically in that he finds thrill for the bloodlust he has become so accustomed to. It is evident how both of the boys have lost their Indian touch, but Xavier more so since he spent a longer time in the bush with his aunt from a young age. His beliefs and value differ from Elijah’s. Often during the battles Xavier uses herbs from road sides and prays for certain fallen ones! This plays extreme significance in the story’s theme of confliction between personal beliefs and the reality that faces you. It is clear that Xavier’s soul is shook deep down from the atmosphere around him so as an outlet to practice and stay touch with his belief he finds a sort comfort in praying for the fallen army men. But the contrast of the situation lies in the fact that it does not really even matter if he is praying for the few fallen men (almost to cleanse and find peace in his own soul) because there all literally thousands of people dying all around him, and he himself is a part of those killings as he is a part of the army. Xavier is indeed conflicted between his own beliefs and the reality of the bloodshed
Topic: Conflict arises when a character beliefs and desires are incompatible with the reality he/she faces. The feelings of desertion can cause mental destructions to great extents, weather one is deserting their religion, culture, or way of being. Not being able to stay true to oneself is the ultimate loss of liberty. We are forever kept in the suffocating enclosure of our own deteriorating mental prisons. This specific theme of failing to find balance between reality and one’s personal beliefs and desires is weaved throughout the story of Three day road by Joseph Boyden . In fact the underlying basis of the entire story is concerning the theme of the conflicts that arise when the beliefs and desires of characters in …show more content…
Each individual faces their own fair share of difficulties but in entirety all of their problems branch under the exact same core issue of the inner conflicts they face in efforts of preserving their cultural roots.
Residential schools have one main purpose, to rid one of his or her cultural roots. Niska, Xavier, and Elijah all faced the brutalities of the residential schools, there is continuous conflict for each of them to face while being in a place where their Indian beliefs completely conflict the reality of what is force fed to them to strip them of their background. It is a constant battle for all three to remain true to their roots while constantly being forced into the assimilative practices of the wemistikoshiw all through their life. Niska faced continues conflict with the women at the residential school. “When the Children came back they were different, speaking in the wemistikoshiw language, talking back to their parents, fighting and hitting one …show more content…
Killing, except for hunting or diminishing windigos, does not really seem to be an Indian thing to do and Xavier is consciously affected by the brutalities of the war lifestyle. Later on the book we find out how he wished that the war would soon end and they could return back home. He notices how Elijah has changed dramatically in that he finds thrill for the bloodlust he has become so accustomed to. It is evident how both of the boys have lost their Indian touch, but Xavier more so since he spent a longer time in the bush with his aunt from a young age. His beliefs and value differ from Elijah’s. Often during the battles Xavier uses herbs from road sides and prays for certain fallen ones! This plays extreme significance in the story’s theme of confliction between personal beliefs and the reality that faces you. It is clear that Xavier’s soul is shook deep down from the atmosphere around him so as an outlet to practice and stay touch with his belief he finds a sort comfort in praying for the fallen army men. But the contrast of the situation lies in the fact that it does not really even matter if he is praying for the few fallen men (almost to cleanse and find peace in his own soul) because there all literally thousands of people dying all around him, and he himself is a part of those killings as he is a part of the army. Xavier is indeed conflicted between his own beliefs and the reality of the bloodshed