The symbolic use in “Totem” represents an event that existed long before. The story start of where the people are annoyed but “were too polite to complain about the noises the totem pole” made. (119) Each totem pole symbolizes a different tribe. Each totem pole made different foreign noises. Because of the noises, the people decided to “get a chainsaw and cut it off.” (121) This symbolises how the English and French were trying to take out and suppress aboriginals. When the English and French came to the country, they mistaken the aboriginals for Indians. Despite knowing the mistake, they took no effort into fixing their mistake. The author describes to the readers the totem pole was placed “in the basement near the boiler.” (121) In a similar
