Green Grass Running Water: Parts 3 and 4 Blog

In Green Grass Running Water, by Thomas King, there are many Biblical and pop culture references throughout the novel. These references are used to both enhance the plot, and bring humour to the reading.

"Eli went into the kitchen and brought out more coffee cups.

'Here,' he said. 'Just brewed.'

'It's going to be a good day,' said the Lone Ranger. 'I can feel it.' " (Page 409)

This quote references the Maxwell Coffee commercials, making this scene seem almost like one. It emulates the general idea of the commercials, turning something as simple as getting coffee into something more. Right as Lone Ranger comments on how good the day will be, an earthquake begins, and it is revealed that Coyote was singing and dancing, which caused the earthquake. The coffee scene is a good buffer between Eli and the Indians, to the earthquake.

“In the distance, at the edge of the horizon, Babo could see a point of light, a star in the morning sky” (235)

This quote is a Biblical allusion, referencing the Star of Bethlehem. The star acted as a guidance point for the magi, and led them the right way to Bethlehem. The morning star that Babo is seeing is guiding them in the right direction to find the four Indians.

" 'Tomorrow,' Dr. Hovaugh said, leaning back in the chair. 'Tomorrow and tomorrow.' And he drew a second circle around the lake. And a third.

'And tomorrow' " (Page 389)

This quote is a Shakespeare reference, alluding to his play Macbeth. In the story, Macbeth's wife has just passed away, and he becomes very depressed. The quote talks about how time passes slowly, taking the character day by day in a melancholy beat. Dr. Hovaugh is facing the trouble of tracking down the four Indians. He's now in Canada and starting to feel the pressure of finding them. The quote is alluded to show the slow process of searching.

"By the time Lionel was six, he knew what he wanted to be.

John Wayne" (Page 241)

A big allusion made throughout the book is John Wayne. He is mainly used as Lionel's idol, often coming up as someone he wanted to be like. He connects many of the characters together as they all on their own watch the same western movie with him in it.

"'I know that song,' says Coyote. 'Hosanna da, in-in the highest, hosanna da forever..." (Page 270)

This quote is an allusion to Canada's national anthem, Oh Canada. In the novel Coyote tries to sing the song, but messes it up and needs to be corrected. The whole scene in the novel is a Biblical parody, and it adds to the humour that King is trying to portray.

On top of these Biblical and pop culture references, there are also a lot of passages that help identify characters, and reflect on who they are. Some of these passages reveals history of characters, and others demonstrate characteristics of the person (or animal).

For Eli Stands Alone, it was known that before his wife Karen died, she wanted to go back to the Sun Dance, as she enjoyed herself very much the first time. For years Eli would find a way out of going, and dodged answering the question why. The story also has a lot of Eli thinking about what would happen if he returned after so many years. The quote below helps to show that Eli is worried about going back to the Sun Dance, as he didn't leave everyone on the greatest terms.

“Each year was easier. Each year laid more space between who he had become and who he had been. Until he could no longer measure the distance in miles” (Page 287)

One of the biggest and most followed through plots of the story, is Lionel Red Dog and how he cannot get his life together. Numerous characters in the story pester Lionel, trying to get him to do something with his life, and he seems to continue to shrug it off. It's as if he is waiting for some pill that can help him access 100% of his brain, and find the perfect version of himself (allusion to the Bradley Cooper movie Limitless, what do you think of that King?). On the morning of his 40th birthday, Lionel decides he is ready to change his life, and wants to start everything fresh. His morning routine begins with him replacing all of his toiletries. The quote below helps to show the drive in Lionel's soul, and his determination to improve his quality of living.

“Life, Lionel mused as he felt his chest slide on top of his stomach, had become embarrassing. His job was embarrassing. His gold blazer was embarrassing. His car was embarrassing. Norma was right. Alberta wasn’t about to marry an embarrassment. Lionel sucked his stomach in for the fourth time and lurched to a standing position” (Page 239)

In Green Grass Running Water, the four Indians are a huge part of the plot, but their accompanying forest friend Coyote, seems to do little in enhancing the story. He seems more of a humourous addition. What is found out at the end of the story, is that Coyote is the reason for a lot of the Indians' work. They often have to save the world...from Coyote and his mischievous ways. Despite being such a problem to the Indians (and the world), Coyote has a very light-hearted friendly spirit throughout the novel, showing he means no harm, regardless of the fact that he is. The quote below shows the Indians explaining to Coyote how much trouble he is, and how he is not affected by this.

“ ‘But I was helpful, too,’ says Coyote. “That woman who wanted a baby. Now, that was helpful.”

‘Helpful!’ said Robinson Crusoe. ‘You remember the last time you did that?’

‘I’m quite sure I was in Kamloops,’ says Coyote.

‘We haven’t straightened out that mess yet,’ said Hawkeye.

‘Hee-hee,’ says Coyote. ‘Hee-hee.’ (Page 416)

Three Day Road: Pivotal Moment Blog

In Three Day Road, by Joseph Boyden, there are many scenes in the novel that are very important to the plot, but also contributed to character development. These scenes carry out the storyline, as well as give us more insight about the characters, and what they are feeling at the moment.

A scene that I thought was very important was when Xavier, Elijah and their fellow soldiers were out of the lines, and sitting near a stream. A duck was by itself on the stream, and the other troops were coaching Elijah on to hit the duck, so that they could eat it. Elijah, soaking up the glory, took aim, steadied his focus and shot, but narrowly missed the duck. Xavier, sick of Elijah taking all the glory, quickly took his rifle, loaded it up and hit the duck. The other men went quiet and Xavier walked away, happy that he could prove himself.

I think that this scene is important, because throughout the novel it seems that Elijah has overshadowed Xavier on the front. Whether it is the language barrier, or the sniping of soldiers, Xavier comes up lesser in pretty much all situations. Though he never says to the other soldiers, you can tell that Xavier is very jealous of all the treatment Elijah gets, and wishes he was more respected. An example of this is through his narration. When Elijah receives his military medal, Xavier is very envious of this. With Elijah slipping up on the duck, and all the men to witness it, this was a great opportunity to show the men that Xavier wasn't just the one scoping the men. The fact that none of the men know that Xavier taught Elijah how to hunt seems to aggravate him, as he never seems to get any of the glory. In my opinion, the fact that he walked away right after poses for two reasons. One, it is dramatic, and two, it makes him not have to try and speak English and ruin the moment of being a true hunter.

The following is an excerpt from the scene:

"His shot cracks out and the water a foot ahead of the duck sprays up, sending the animal into a panicked flight. I watch as it lifts up high, then circles, looking for another place on the water to land. The men laugh and say, 'Nice shot,' anyway. The duck comes back in and lands not far from its original place.

I pick up my rifle and slip in a round, then take careful aim through my scope. With half a breath released, I pull the trigger and my rifle barks. The duck's feathers spray up, then slowly float back onto the water, landing on the surface and around the ripped carcass. The men around us stare at me as I stand up and walk away. Me, I won't let them forget who I am." (Page 244)

This scene connects very well with both Xavier and Elijah, as well as adds a bit of foreshadowing of the two characters' relationship. Up until now, Xavier had one of the biggest kills in the novel, the Hun Sniper who killed Sean Patrick, but still was not given a lot of credit for it. The men celebrated more when Elijah would make a kill much less significant than that. This scene really shows Xavier's skills to the soldiers, but more importantly, proves that he can one up Elijah. I don't think Xavier really needs to show off his talent. I think he just wants to show that Elijah isn't the only one with that much skill. Unfortunately for him, the circumstances have made Xavier Elijah's right hand man, but just like the sniping competition in training at the Exhibition Grounds, Xavier had his moment to shine.

This scene also foreshadows the tension between Xavier and Elijah. Through Xavier's narration, we start to see the frustration slowly building between the two, and how Xavier can sense the changes in Elijah. Though this scene shows no real conflict, as it was more a friendly game rather than a competition, I think it signifies the signs of more clashing to come between the two best friends.