The journey element of the plot of Medicine Walk is a common model used by authors. It allows characters to have goals, obstacles, and realizations that develop between point A and point B.
Consider the physical trail that Franklin and Eldon travel, and the choices that Wagamese makes in using this setting as the backdrop for his story about broken relationships. How does it compare to other stories featuring the journey concept? Real world adventures? Personal pilgrimages? What makes Medicine Walk unique? You may think about culture, traditions, and/or history when formulating your responses.
Respond to this post by leaving a substantial comment that generates discussion (see rubric), AND respond to at least two of your classmates' comments to continue conversations.
“Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations”(Oliver Goldsmith)(https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/life_is_a_journey). This could mean a number of different things. Some people may take it literally as a physical road that must be taken to get from point A to point B. others may take it metaphorically, as in life being the road from birth to death. Some people believe there is a new life that awaits you after death. Others believe life is the end so all that remains is a pile of rotting flesh. There are mostly in native history, beliefs that when you die, you come back as a part of nature to take care of the future. As an atheist, I believe in science. No one really knows what happens after death. No one knows if there is a heaven and hell or a spiritual world in the after life. All we know is that the life we previously lived, is no longer ours. So what separates the atheists from the believers? Sure, the believer hasn't been to the other side or questioned any dead people, but the atheist hasn't either. So what information does the atheist have that the believer doesn't? None. The absence of proof is not proof of absence, so the atheist's denial of life after death, like the believer's affirmation of it, is ultimately a faith-based position.(https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2009/1209/p09s02-coop.html).
ReplyDeleteAn atheist, as I am one, does not believe that there is a god or that the world was created by one supernatural force. An atheist believes in the scientific proof that lies in front of them. They base their beliefs on information they can voluntarily duplicated through experiments, but when it comes to the after life, atheist have their own assumptions with no proof to show that they are right about what happens after you die.
Reincarnation is another theory as to what happens after you die. the concept of coming back into the world as a pat of nature, for example, a tree or a fish…etc. The ultimate goal in this Karma cycle is for the soul to progress to the highest level of existence and become one with the universe. (https://www.allaboutspirituality.org/reincarnation.htm). The movie. Moana is a perfect example of how people believe in coming back as some kind of animal spirit(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKFuXETZUsI). If there any other kinds of believers out there.
There are so many different possibilities as to what happens to us after we die. The only problem is, no one really knows which theory is true. Some possibilities make more sense than others. Some sound more appealing than others. And some have both an appealing side and a scary side, like in heaven and hell. Heaven being the more appealing side whille hell might be the more scary side.
I would love to hear all different perspectives on how people view death and what comes next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlQyKzXlb1w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6dgozJxj34
This is a great topic that you brought up Meah and I also don't really believe in reincarnation, but my parents do since they are cultural and believe in a lot of religious beliefs. I still have faith that there is an afterlife even though I think there is no heaven or hell but it's nice to have a positive thought that there's life after death.
DeleteThe comparison you made of how your beliefs differ from those of Indigenous peoples reminded me of a rule we had to follow to take this class and read Indigenous texts. We had to put our own thoughts on various topics aside so that we could take in native texts with an open mind and so we could try and understand an indigenous perspective.
DeleteAs we discussed in class, the short stories and novels we read in class are definitely modernized (with the exception of Magpies). They contain literary devices, transitional flow, and basic story structures. These are all modern/European ways of writing. Despite this, our class texts have been well-researched/informed and readers still get to be exposed to ideas and concepts that we are not accustomed to. For example, the afterlife, which you mentioned. Another example would be the concept of having visions of the future (like Niska) or visions of the spirits of your ancestors (like Franklin).
Even if I don't believe that the aforementioned visions are possible or that our souls can be reincarnated into elements of nature (specifically) to watch over us, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because we are, at the end of the day, in this class to learn about unique perspectives that have been oppressed/hidden away for so long. It takes some work to put our stubborn thoughts aside so that we can look at different parts of the spectrum (of beliefs). And if we are successful at this, we can do a good job at assignments like these and classes like this one.
I have noticed that my post shows as unknown for the author. Just to clarify, the author is Meeah Gauthier
ReplyDelete“The journey element of the plot of Medicine Walk is a common model used by authors. It allows characters to have goals, obstacles, and realizations that develop between point A and point B” (Dagg, 2019).
ReplyDeleteThe concept of journey or getting through withdrawal by telling/listening to stories is something we’ve all seen before in… you guessed it, Three Day Road. Xavier is fighting himself and has to deal with his addiction to morphine and PTSD from the Great War. Niska is telling Xavier stories of her childhood (her life journey) to try to keep Xavier alive, just like her father tried to keep his tribe alive amid difficulties: “…his stories were all that we had to keep us alive” (Boyden, 2005). These flashbacks are what make up the story, providing context as to why the characters are the way they are. Their three-day journey reveals just that.
In Medicine Walk, Eldon Starlight, a man also struggling with substance abuse, asks his son Franklin, who he abandoned, to help him get to where he wants to die. Franklin reluctantly agrees and that is the trigger for the rest of the story. Since Franklin agrees to Eldon’s deal, the author can now force these characters to communicate and learn about each other over the course of their trek. And by the end of their journey, and the end of Eldon’s life, Franklin shows emotion and care for his biological father. He cuddles his dad as he dies and even cries for him. This is a monumental change from the stubborn, “hard” (according to Eldon) Frank that started this book who had no sympathy for his lying, drunk, sick father. The author also narrates that Franklin feels a “new hurt,” an emptiness/hole inside him at the end of the book, referring to a newfound feeling of emptiness and grief. The old man describes this well when he says “Sometimes when things get taken away from you it feels like there's a hole at your center where you can feel the wind blow through…” (Wagamese, 2014). This forced path with a set timeline is what many stories use and what this story uses to bring two characters together, with no choice but to bond. Frank didn’t just suddenly decide he has some feelings for his father. That sentiment slowly developed over time and were earned by Eldon.
“Sympathy exists when the feelings or emotions of one person are deeply understood and appreciated by another person” (Sakurai, 2009). When Frank understood where Eldon was coming from, the struggles he tried to overcome, and what events in his life lead him to make the difficult decisions he did, Franklin only then could learn to feel for his father and learn to accept him and want to help him die at some peace.
“The journey element of the plot of Medicine Walk is a common model used by authors. It allows characters to have goals, obstacles, and realizations that develop between point A and point B” (Dagg, 2019). Franklin had a goal to take his father to the place where he wanted to be buried, because he decided to accept Eldon’s offer. Over the course of several days, they struggled with getting along, with taking care of Eldon’s fatal state, encountering a bear, and learning to accept each other as family (more specifically, Frank learning to accept that he has lost his biological family). Franklin had a change of heart when he realized that his father had reasons, not excuses for acting the poor way he did. For example, that Eldon was dealing with PTSD from his life and being in the war (which lead to him drinking) and that once Frank was born, all Eldon could see in him was Angie, and he didn’t want to resent Frank, so he gave him away to Bunky, who could properly take care of him. The author utilizing the model of a journey as a tool made it easier for the characters to develop from beginning (point A: offer) to the end (point B: Eldon dying in Frank’s arms and him returning to Bunky). The character development lead to some sense of forgiveness for Eldon and Franklin and also closure for Franklin (accepting events and his vision where Angie also forgave Eldon).
Works Cited
DeleteBoyden, Joseph. Three Day Road. Penguin, March 17, 2005.
Dagg, S. (June 7, 2019). Life's a Journey... Retrieved from https://medicinewalkchat.blogspot.com/2019/06/lifes-journey.html#comment-form
Sakurai, M. (May 5, 2009). Pity, Sympathy, Compassion & Empathy. Retrieved from https://empathicperspectives.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/pity-sympathy-compassion-empathy/
Wagamese, Richard. Medicine Walk. Penguin Random House, March 4, 2014.
Your blog post reminded me of my own personal experiences that I went through.
DeleteThere have been many times where I got a bad feeling about someone that I met, but since we are forced to be in the same classes and school, I was stuck with them, was forced to communicate with them and get to know them. This led me to understand these people and then become friends with them. “People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them” (J. Baldwin). By being forced to communicate with them they share stories about their past and that makes me understand why there who they are today. Frank had the same experience with Eldon, where Frank hated Eldon at first for being a bad father figure. But after Eldon telling Frank stories about what happened to him in the war, about his mother and Frank’s mother Angie, Frank’s feelings about Eldon changed and that caused him to have respect and grew affection towards Eldon. For example, in the beginning, Frank was neutral and thought that Eldon didn’t deserve to be buried in the warrior way and now near the end, he cried and cuddled Eldon when he died. Frank also gave him a prayer and buried him just the way Eldon wanted.
Baldwin, J.(n.d). retrieved from http://wisdomquotes.com/history-quotes/
DeleteThe word “journey” could mean many different things like the journey from youth to maturity, a journey to travel to one place to another and a lifetime journey. In Medicine Walk, Frank and Eldon are set off into a journey to a place where Eldon wants to be buried in the warrior way. Eldon wasn’t there a lot in Frank’s life making their relationship feel remote and mostly making Frank despise his father. By going on this trip, it forces them to bond and fill in blank spots that Frank has been confused about ever since he was a little boy.
ReplyDeleteThis book reminds me a lot of a movie called The Straight Story. It's about a farmer, Alvin Straight, who is in his 70s, finds out that his brother, Lyle Straight, who aren't close and haven't seen each other for quite a while, has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin decides to make things right with Lyle. So, Alvin starts his trip on his old, rusted, lawnmower. Medicine Walk and The Straight Story have a lot of similarities. In the movie, Alvin talks about how he was a drinker caused by World War II when he accidentally killed one of his men. Alvin and his brother both had an argument and haven't talked or seen each other for 10 years and wanted to have that close relationship they had when they were kids. In Medicine Walk, Eldon is a drinker caused by him killing his best friend Jimmy during World War II and when his mother kicked him out when he was younger. During Eldon and Frank’s journey, Frank at first thought that Eldon doesn't deserve to be buried in the warrior way because Eldon was basically a bad father figure. Eldon wanted to make things right between them and try to be in Frank's life every now and then when Frank was younger.
"Storytelling describes the social and cultural activity of sharing stories, sometimes with improvisation, theatrics, or embellishment. Every culture has its own stories or narratives, which are shared as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation or instilling moral values" (Chaitin, 2003). The concept of storytelling is shown a lot through Medicine Walk and Three-Day Road. In both books, Niska tells stories from her childhood and Xavier's childhood to keep him alive. Eldon tells Frank stories about his past to help him explain why Eldon is the way he is today and help him answer all the questions Frank has been dying to know ever since he was a little kid. Telling stories helps us identify the meaning of patterns. We use stories to help us make sense of our world and understand one another. I think stories teach us about love, how to forgive and understand others and teach us about traditional culture and their backgrounds.
Works Cited
DeleteChaitin, J. (July 2003). Narratives and Story-Telling. Retrieved from https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/narratives
[r0I00L]. (September 6, 2011). The Straight Story (1999) HQ Trailer. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/e0zb_baTzkk
The Straight Story. (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0166896/plotsummary
I love how you state that “telling stories helps us identify the meaning of patterns,” so I thought I would elaborate on this. In Medicine Walk, the pattern of internal conflict, addiction and abandonment (on Eldon’s side) is presented. Because of Eldon’s PTSD of his life thus far and internal turmoil/shame, he turned to drinking to escape his problems, which affects his ability to think rationally. But there’s one more thing that makes up this cycle: the constant abandonment of his son Franklin. Although Eldon occasionally decides that he wants to reach out to his son and conjure up a connection, the internal shame, guilt, and fear that I mentioned before always finds a way to the center of his mind. This results in Eldon drinking which leads to him disappointing Frank. This pattern repeats over and over again throughout the course of both Eldon and Frank’s lives. For example, on Franklin’s 10th birthday, Franklin goes to see Eldon and finds him in a much nicer, cleaner, house than the last time Frank saw his father. That gives him and the readers hope. However, after some time fishing, Eldon disappears, and Franklin finds him drunk and must drive him home. One Christmas, Eldon doesn’t even show up, even after he sent Frank promising letters. No matter how many promises Eldon makes, he can never overcome his trauma and feeds his addiction instead, which affects both him and those around him (Frank). These events, along with many others, accumulates a long-lasting anger in young Franklin Starlight.
DeleteThe meaning behind this toxic pattern is explained by Eldon himself as the novel goes on, and Franklin finally understands his father and connects with him. This explains the pattern presented in Medicine Walk and proves your statement that “telling stories helps us identify the meaning of patterns,” with events from the novel.
Medicine walk compares to multiple stories that have the journey concept. A book that we have read in class that represents the journey concept would be the novel “Three Day Road.” Most people would likely use the point of view of Xavier and his journey with his addiction with morphine, but there is also the story of Elijah’s journey throughout Three Day Road. Elijah journey to how he became a Wendigo is thrilling, and depressing at multiple times throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteElijah’s journey is like Eldon’s life. Throughout Three Day Road, Elijah faces many obstacles such as addiction, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and personal affairs. This helps show the journey in Elijah’s life because Elijah addiction to morphine shows to have an influence him throughout the war, which almost gets him killed. “Elijah says his head feels ready to explode. He can’t take it any longer.” (Boyden, Pg.148). Although this includes all the bombs and the sounds of gunshots near him which affect him, this quote from the text is also talking about the withdrawal from not using the morphine in a while. Elijah also shows signs of having PTSD during the war which helps describe the downfall in Elijah’s journey. There are two examples of his PTSD. His first sign is that he became addicted to morphine to get away from the war for a while. About 50-66 percent of those who suffer from PTSD also battle simultaneous addiction. (PTSD and Addiction: The Connection Between Trauma and Drug Addiction) the second sign of Elijah’s PTSD is that he develops a man hunger for blood. He develops this and only wants to kill more and more Fritz. Another part of Elijah’s journey which affects him would be personal affairs before the war, such as his time in residential school. Residential schools were government-sponsored religious schools that were established to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. (Miller, Residential Schools in Canada) Residential schools were very dark and dangerous place for indigenous people, and Elijah experienced that. This had a huge impact on Elijah and helped form his character develop.
Eldon’s journey is similar as he experiences addiction, PTSD, and personal affairs to. Eldon is a big drinker and has an addiction to alcohol. It is shown throughout Medicine Walk that he is a heavy drinker and that he is dying because of it. Eldon also has PTSD for his time during the Korean War, and for killing his best friend. This has a huge effect on Eldon which helps develop his journey and makes you feel sorry for him. This is an example of pathos. Eldon’s personal affair would be his guilt for how he was not there for Franklin. He Craves for his son’s forgiveness. Eldon tells his life story to why he did what he did in hope that Franklin would understand why he couldn’t live or care for Frank.
Elijah and Eldon both have a similar journey which leads to their downfall and eventually death. They both suffered from addiction, PTSD, and personal affairs. The journeys for these two may have not been a happy ending but you don’t always get happy endings and Elijah and Eldon’s journeys gives the world an example of this.
Literature Cited
Miller, J.r. Residential Schools in Canada. 7 June 2019. 14 June 2019. .
—. Residential Schools in Canada. 7 june 2019. 14 june 2019.
PTSD and Addiction: The Connection Between Trauma and Drug Addiction. 11 June 2019. Article. !4 June 2019. .
It wrote Unknown, It's Connor who wrote this.
ReplyDeleteDear Mr. Remenda,
DeleteWith all due respect sir, in my opinion, I believe that both characters you have mentioned (Elijah and Eldon) share a more meaningful and standard connection then those you have mentioned.
BOTH seem to use alcohol and or substances as a way to cope with reality due to their surroundings. "He removes a syringe from his hide bag and injects just a little of the medicine into his arm. Since being wounded in our raid, he has given up fighting the morphine. 'I'm just dabbling with it,' he likes to say with his English accent." (Boyden 192) This quote is an example of drug use and abuse, a regular theme throughout the novel Three Day Road. Elijah uses morphine as a coping method to deal with the horrors and stress of war. The same applies to the character Eldon in Medicine Walk. He uses alcohol as a means to forget the death of his father and relive any guilt from the killing of his dearest friend in the war.
Using drugs to cope with stress can suddenly make all of the overwhelming feelings it causes to vanish. Such an immediate and robust result can make a person want to use a substance every time they feel such levels of stress.
To continue, I am uninformed and slightly slow in the brain, so my apologies. But could you please clarify what personal issues both characters have? That would be extremely beneficial to me.
Anyways, I do ask you to take the opportunity to educate yourself on the topic before contributing further.
Bless your heart, Jacob Traynor
Sorry if it says Nicholas, this is Cayden. My account isnt working right now.
DeleteThe novel Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese is a highly engaging one. Unlike other indigenous texts, Wagamese brings out the hardships and struggles of a separated indigenous family during the 1950s. Additionally, he shows one's journey of reconciliation and redemption as accurately as one could imagine. The journey of redemption is one that is extremely comparable to the novel Three Day Road written by proclaimed non-indigenous author Joesph Boyden. Also, Wagagmese does an excellent job at creating a character contrast, which adds to the uniqueness of Medicine. Lastly, Wagamese's storytelling and use of words are what makes his novel Medicine Walk vastly unique compared to other novels.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, throughout their journey to his final resting place, Eldon Starlight is finally able to speak the truths that have infected much of his life. (TheGlobeandMail 2018) Eldon attempts to relieve himself of his past sins and prove to his son that he is not half the man he might think he is. The land and nature represent the healing presence that allows Eldon to tear off layer after layer of the tragedy caused by the death of his father in the Second World War and paved in his own experience in the Korean War. (TheGlobeandMail 2018) Eldon relates to his son the desolate moments he has been through, as well as his life's fleeting but crucial moments of happiness and hope. (BookBrowse 2019) In telling his story, Eldon offers his son a world that he has never seen, and a history he has never come to know. (BookBrowse 2019) For these reasons, Medicine Walk is a story of reconciliation and redemption to one's dear son.
Moreover, the story of reconciliation and redemption in the novel Medicine Walk is much like that of Three Day Road. In Three Day Road, character Xavier had been saved from dying in anguish. ("Three Day Road Response Questions + Q#9 Essay/Paragraph" 2012) Xavier came back from war, finding out that he still had a chance to see Niska. ("Three Day Road Response Questions + Q#9 Essay/Paragraph" 2012) Redemption comes in this story from Niska, who used her stories to inspire Xavier and to let him know what she has gone through in life. ("Three Day Road Response Questions + Q#9 Essay/Paragraph" 2012) This is almost identical to what Eldon has done with Franklin during the novel Medicine Walk. In Medicine Walk, Eldon tells his son about a world that he has heard. He informs his son of the wrongs in his own life that made him hurt his son's life. Eldon much like Niska uses the limited time they have together with their loved ones to let them know that their life was a success and it was worth it so that Xavier would die happily in Three Day Road and so could Eldon in Medicine Walk.
Additionally, author Richard Wagamese does an extraordinary act portraying a story in which he reverses the stereotypical roles of father and son. (Goodreads 2014) The son (Franklin) is the carer, and the father (Eldon) is cared for. (Goodreads 2014) The contrast in father and son seems monstrous. The reader faced with several questions amid the introduction of Eldon sees him at a point in his life where he is helpless and addicted. It is his son Franklin who must care for him and ensure he can finally rest at peace being buried the warrior way. Franklin grows to care so much for his biological father that in the closing chapters, he caresses him while he takes his final breaths. Carrsisng, his biological father, shows the growth of Franklin's character as his biological father was never there for him as a child and saddened him on many occasions. For these reasons, this contrast is another example of why Medicine Walk is such a unique novel.
DeleteLastly, Richard Wagamese choice of language to display and describe the setting is bar none. It is used superbly and efficiently. Wagamese can display to the reader clear images of the natural setting in 1950s rural Canada. He shows the nature of the people and the nature of their often harsh lives. In continuation, the way Wagamese describes the land and nature compared to the simplistic lives of the characters involved is moving. Simplicity accommodates the way they the characters view the sunrise and sunset, the stars at night and horses running. (Goodreads 2014) The vivid description and choice of the setting only amplify why Medicine Walk is unique compared to other indigenous texts.
To conclude, in one's life, it is understood that they will be vulnerable to the many surprises and disappointments of the world. Medicine Walk displays this through the redemptive of power in love and compassion. Franklin is not the only child to be dealt with severe hardships and difficulties at birth or to lose a parent to alcoholism. Richard Wagamese masterfully depicts the strifes of minorities in Canada dealing with the dreadful issues they face. Additionally, he portrays a clear image of what life was like in the 1950s and described the natural setting beyond vividly.
Works Cited
Delete"Book Review: 'Medicine Walk' by Richard Wagamese." Banff Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2019.BookBrowse. "Medicine Walk by by Richard Wagamese: Summary and Reviews." BookBrowse.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2019.Calgaryherald Updated: June 13, 2014. "Richard Wagamese Goes beyond Stereotypes in Medicine Walk." Calgary Herald. N.p., 13 June 2014. Web. 14 June 2019.Callanan, Liam. "'Medicine Walk,' by Richard Wagamese." The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 May 2015. Web. 14 June 2019."Family Reads: Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese." Falling Letters. N.p., 08 June 2019. Web. 14 June 2019."Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese." Goodreads. Goodreads, 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 June 2019."Medicine Walk: A Story of a Native Family, but Really One about the Universality of Tragedy." The Globe and Mail. N.p., 12 May 2018. Web. 15 June 2019.National Post. "Medicine Walk, by Richard Wagamese: Review." National Post. N.p., 04 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 June 2019."Three Day Road Response Questions Q#9 Essay/Paragraph." Tejadajames. N.p., 11 June 2012. Web. 14 June 2019.
Here are a list of YouTube links that detail important stories of redemption and will further your knowledge on what it takes to find redemption in one self :
ReplyDeleteGod's Story of Redemption in Christ -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGxjhUz9Y9c
I AM THEY - Redemption Stories -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGmt9hwBXZk
Shaka Senghor: Why your worst deeds don't define you -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtXyGFMBWBs
Working toward redemption | Heather Lavelle | TEDxMuncyStatePrison -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG6-nAIinj0
I really loved your point of view of reconciliation and redemption. I really liked your statement, “Eldon offers his son a world that he has never seen, and a history he has never come to know.” I found this deep and thoughtful and found that it stuck out the most for me in your reply to the blog. If Eldon never told his life story, Franklin would not know the history and reasoning to why his father was not there for him throughout his childhood. The stories helped create a stronger bond between Eldon and Franklin and let Eldon reconcile with his son Franklin. This helped me better understand that Medicine Walk is a story about reconciliation and redemption.
ReplyDeleteThe journey concept explored throughout the class can be exemplified throughout the book Three Day Road in which Xavier and Elijah face racism throughout different stages of their lives. Their journey includes the negative experiences they endure while growing up that non-native children would not, including the hardships of racism, attending abusive residential schools, and surviving the senseless killing of war while overcoming every obstacle that gets put in front of them. In war, they are treated as expendable, and in residential schools they were considered outcasts. It is through racism that non-native children could go to regular schools but Xavier and Elijah have to attend a school riddled with overly strict standards and sexual abuse. “We all fight on two fronts, the one facing the enemy, the other facing what we do to the enemy.” -Xavier, p. 30. This quote illustrates the experiences they face throughout their daily lives affecting their overall journey in society as outcasts, and in war as pawns, generating a conflict of obey or be the enemy. Throughout his years in service Xavier becomes more aware of the brutal and violent nature of war, where a soldier is considered lucky to survive a battle without physical injury but becomes aware that guilt and PTSD is unavoidable. As Xavier explores the shoot or be shot mentality, the killing factor involved within the war deeply affects him, and when given the role as sniper he is still uncomfortable with the idea of murder. Throughout their journey, the outcast theme is continued within the residential schooling system and the reality of its abusive lengths portrays abuse beyond repair. The nuns stand by the ideal “[t]he old Cree are heathen and anger” (xavier, p.51-52) in which they resort to harsh standards in which the children are forced to conform to. This impacts Elijah’s development along his journey where it becomes known that the nuns ultimately have no interest in helping the native children as the main goal is to exterminate their beliefs and conform them to christain rules and religion. From the Wemicus story “This man's wife, the daughter of Wemicus, had great many husbands, because Wemicus had put them to so many different tests that they had been all killed off except this one. He, however, had succeeded in outwitting Wemicus in every scheme that he tried one him”. This exemplifies that even though there were challenges from within his journey, he like Eldon and Elijah kept moving forward through the struggles that have been handed to him whether in residential schools that Elijah had to endure, or the war that both Eldon and Elijah suffered through and ultimately the struggles from PTSD.
ReplyDeleteBoyden, Joseph. Three Day Road. Penguin Canada, 2005.
https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TheSonInLawTests-Ojibwa.html
After reading Medicine Walk, throughout this course I was able to observe a common theme that ties all the novels that I’ve read throughout this course which is perceived as Family. What does the word “Family” mean? According to Shihab Uddin family means” The ones who will be beside me no matter what happens, the most loved ones. The outer world loves me when I am strong and effective and dislikes me when I am weak and ineffective. Family is the people that stay beside me even in the toughest of times, the worst of the worst times, even whenever something is very wrong with me.” https://medium.com/sandbox/what-does-family-mean-for-you-and-how-has-it-shaped-you-8cbc1aaaee02. The Family theme does play an important role in Medicine Walk as we begin see the bond and growth between Eldon and Franklin throughout their journey. Throughout this novel, Franklin gets the opportunity to meet his father, Eldon, who had abandoned Franklin and gave him to an older man who took care of him throughout Franklins life, but the old man didn’t teach him about his indigenous roots. Shortly after Franklin wanted to see his dad but when he got to see him, he was in bed drunk with a hooker. Eventually, they got to have civilize conversation in which Eldon in formed Frankin on his soon to come death and from that Franklin decided to help Eldon to be buried he way he wanted which was warrior way facing towards the East where the sun rises. Furthermore, their journey to burry Eldon, Franklin and his dad had to endure obstacles meanwhile Franklin begins to learn more about his father which then develops a family bond, but Franklin who still has hatred for his father for what has happened to Franklin. For the moment in which Franklin had to bear his hatred for his father, digging the grave wasn’t just a task he had to endure it was a relief of aggression and pain along with grieving the loss of his father. As soon as the grave was completed and Eldon at that point just laid there meanwhile Franklin decides to spoon his father as the love and relief were upon Franklin and in the end, Franklin rode off on realizing his love for his father. Soon after Franklin got a vision of his ancestors in which the author did this to bring us readers closer to the characters. A story like this is unique because us readers get to see the importance of family, no matter what happens for an example Eldon who has suffered from PTSD throughout his life journey resorted to alcoholism in hopes to relief some of the pain in which people perceived him as cold, bitter and only cares about himself. As for Franklin he begins to realize Eldon's true self throughout the journey they been on together.
ReplyDeleteTo further knowledge your understanding of the book read this article
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/medicine-walk-a-story-of-a-native-family-but-really-one-about-the-universality-of-tragedy/article17943334/
Here is a video on a man who does Medicine Walks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4EBgVyML1M
Cayden your efforts at strengthening our understanding in an indigenous family have not gone unnoticed.
DeleteThe quote you have chosen from Shihab Uddin was touching the soul. The quote makes me truly understand what family is about. I’d heartily enjoy it if you could provide more information regarding Shihab Uddin and his credentials as he seems like a very educated man.
Cayden the pride you take in your work is truly inspiring. It’s incredible how thorough your work is. The vivid description you gave of Franklin spooning his father is certainly unremarkable. Your detail of the event shows the extreme character development of Franklin.
I wish I could spend days reading your work. It’s really admirable to you see projects transfer from conception to completion.
Thank you for your generous response and I will indeed include more information about Shihab Uddin and his inspiring quotes. If you copy that link that I posted you can read more about him.
DeleteYour shawty,
Cayden Austring
From MP:
DeleteI believe that another extremely important (and maybe most important) example of family is the relationship between Bunky, the old man, and Franklin. It also ties back to the blood versus water debate and furthermore proves that blood relationships are not always thicker than water relationships. Bunky accepts Franklin, the man who stole his love’s baby, and raises him simply because he loved his mother, Angie, so much. Both Angie and Franklin aren’t related to Bunky in any way, but it doesn’t stop him. He raises Franklin and does all the jobs a father or parent are supposed to do, like making sure he has a roof over his head, food, and love, and he also becomes his teacher in farming and living life in general. The last chapters end with Frank calling him “Father”, showing that even if he had just buried his blood-related dad, he still saw Bunky as his father or parental figure.
Your points on the bond Eldon and Franklin forge during their literal journey are excellent and i whole heartily agree with your use of Shihab Uddin's quote. The evidence you provide is strong enough to hold your opinion together and leaves little to no room to argue with although the quote leaves lee-way to argue with the strength of the bond between Eldon and Franklin at the end of the book.
DeleteResponse to Arwa’s Blog:(by MP)
ReplyDeleteArwa’s view of the journey aspect being a physical way of bringing two characters together to bond or try to understand each other reminded me of the movie Green Book. In this movie we follow two polar-opposite characters, a white Italian-American bouncer called Tony Vallelonga and an African-American classical pianist called Don Shirley. Don hires Tony for his tour of the deep south as his driver and bodyguard. This was needed since the story is set in the 1960s, when “The Civil War had officially abolished slavery, but it didn’t end discrimination against
blacks” (Editors, 2009). Although Tony tells Don he has no problems with black people, we see his hypocritical actions and thinking at the beginning of their journey and especially when he is at home. But, as the movie progresses and he sees the hardships Don has to go through being a black man in a “white man’s world,” they begin to form a friendship and Tony defends his new boss. It's in the car rides and hotel rooms where they’re forced together that they have conversations about how different their lives are because of their race, which allows them to truly understand each other and bond. This is exactly what Franklin and Eldon did on their trail, learn from each other through talking and storytelling.
Link to movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZxoko_HC0
Work Cited:
Editors, History.com. "Civil Rights Movement." History.com. October 27, 2009. Accessed June 12, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement.
Obstacles/Coping Mechanisms in Journey (My Blog):
ReplyDeleteEldon’s journey consisted of many obstacles, whether it was going to war, having to kill his best friend, being kicked out of his mother’s life, and being responsible for his girlfriend’s death. All of these traumatic events and more caused Eldon to numb his pain and find comfort in alcohol. One of his favourite places became “Charlie’s” (a bar), because it was were he felt like he belonged. This coping mechanism quickly turned against him and turned into his biggest obstacle yet; alcoholism. He could no longer face life’s struggles without booze on his side because booze itself was what he had to face. His self-destructive behaviour had become so out of control, there was no way to overcome it. His addiction had determined his death with a liver failure, destroying his “booze-wrecked body”(Grainger, 2014).
The same toxic behaviour is shown in my ISU book with the main character, Martha, and it is because of her traumatic past with family problems and going to a residential school. During her two worst moments of depression she used alcohol as an escape, just like Eldon. Luckily, booze did not determine her fate, because she had a parental-like figure to help her out of her addiction. With hard work and facing the people who ruined her life, she was able to forgive and start healing to finally live her life.
Although both Eldon and Martha unfortunately had to live through so much pain and trauma, was their coping mechanism justifiable? I believe that without alcohol, they would have overcome their other obstacles faster rather than creating a new one, eventually even killing Eldon. On the other hand, the temporary numbness from alcohol was extremely needed in both of their darkest times. It potentially stopped them from resorting to something worse, like hurting someone or suicide. In conclusion, was their use of alcohol defensible, or do the obvious harms of alcohol abuse overweight their reasons?
Link: https://www.verywellmind.com/using-alcohol-to-stop-pain-can-be-dangerous-63190
Work Cited:
Grainger, J. (2014, April 10). Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese: Review. Retrieved from https:// www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2014/04/10/medicine_walk_by_richard_wagamese_review.html
I believe you make a valuable point and think of how many people claim their lives are the worst yet come home to a shelter, food and people who love them yet people who are abandoned and exposed to trauma go unnoticed. Alcohol may be refered to as an escape but really it drags them away from what they need turning them into an outcast.
DeleteDear Marie,
DeleteI really loved your blog post, and especially the question at the end. It is a very deep and thought out question. I agree with you that Eldon and Martha's addiction would have been solved faster and more smoothly if they did not get addicted to a substance to ease the pain. With the addictions, yes they were numbing the pain, but they never moved on and began to rely on there addictions, which could of been dangerous if not controlled.
From, Connor
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI believe that their use of alcohol was justifiable. Mainly because of their pain a trauma. Eldon was not strong enough to give up his addiction when he started and even had a hard time when he knew he had to change and overcome it. And to both Eldon and Martha it was the only way they thought they could get over their pain and trauma.
Delete“the temporary numbness from alcohol was extremely needed in both of their darkest time.” (Marie-Pier Caron, 18 June 2019) I strongly agree with your statement because I’ve seen my friend went through that. He had never felt love by his parents or success in his life. Then one day he met a girl who pretended that she loved him badly but turned out she was playing with him. After they broke up, he tried to commit suicide 5 times and he said: “Alcohol is the only thing that makes me feel better.” Alcohol addiction is the “common coping mechanism” (Mare Marie-Pier Caron, 18 June 2019) that people usually turn to when they have problems.
DeleteThe journey in medicine walk physically represents the bumpy path Eldon and Franklin take to repair their bond and Eldon’s journey through a sort of therapy or rehab to recovery. Eldon of course seeks out Franklin during his time of need in his addiction and through numerous attempts/sessions he finally accepts his part in fixing the problems.
ReplyDeleteEldon starts to open to his family more, talking to his son, telling stories about the past that bother him just like a patient talking to a therapist. After backtracking through all the rough times that forced him into alcoholism, he starts to confront his issues and is able to start pushing away alcohol after displays of courage from his family, Franklin facing the bear. With each story that Eldon tells of his past he grows closer to his family and seems to get closer to his recovery at point B, as they draw closer to the cliff of his resting place. Eldon telling these stories help him and Franklin push towards their destination with a little outside help similar to a rehabilitation center helping their patients with little pushes and “motivational” support. At the end of the physical trip Eldon says the final largest part of his past which forced him into this predicament and wrap up the journey from A to B physically, mentally with Franklin, and metaphorically with the therapy side. Eldon faced his past, dropped his addiction, fixed his broken family relations, but instead of living happily ever after from there, his journey ends in peace from the grave having finished his own war.
I completely agree with your statement and believe Eldon is using Frank as someone to fall on, a shoulder to cry on if you will yet trying to get one last good look at Frank before his time is to arrive. It is a journey for bonding and Eldon is a mentor of what not to do for he believes in Frank and believes he has potential.
DeleteI'm not sure that a death is considered a recovery. It is more of an end. He had no way to completely recover due to him being in the ground
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLike most novels, Medicine Walk by author Richard Wagamese is a story about a journey. On this journey, Eldon, speaks his truth and finds redemption and forgiveness. This reminds me of a series of stories in the God of War franchise. God of War is about a father and son on a journey to meet their mothers/wife's final wish and release her ashes on top of the highest mountain in their realm. On their journey, the father, Kratos, opens up to his son, Atreus, about his past, just like how Eldon tells stories and opens up about his past. Both Franklin and Atreus learn from their father's mistakes and start to understand. They meet challenging obstacles along the way, and albeit different obstacles, they are obstacles nonetheless. The list of similarities can go on and on.
ReplyDeleteThe guilt that swallows Kratos in the previous stories shares a similar connection to Eldon's guilt. Both Eldon and Kratos have gone to war, both have lost their loved ones, both have killed someone they have cared about. Although Kratos does not turn to Alcohol like Eldon, he becomes addicted to rage, until he finds peace in himself and learns to forgive and give it up Just like how Eldon gives up his addiction.
And not to mention, who else finds peace in Medicine Walk? Both Franklin and Eldon! Coincidence? Honestly, yeah. But my point is that these stories about a journey are true stories about a journey. I mean that in the sense of how they can metaphorically relate to real lives. Maybe People will go through a journey like these stories, metaphorically and learn from them. These stories show you that you’ll find everything you need, acceptance and forgiveness. Both Kratos and Eldon end up finding those when they chose to open up and let themselves develop rather than continuing to live a lie. Continuing their addictions. Continuing to ruin their lives and leave them in a place they can never get out of.
Do you think if circumstances were different for Kratos and Eldon, they would open up? Do you think they would change? In my opinion, without that push of both plot devices of Kratos and Atreus losing their wife/mother and Eldon slowly dying, I believe they wouldn’t go out if their way to change. And that's evident at the beginning of both stories. Even when Kratos and Eldon decided to ‘change’ their ways and they were faced with these obstacles, they were very reluctant to tell the stories, because they did not know the repercussions. They did not know how their children would respond.
One thing we learn from both stories is that, if you speak the truth you will be understood and forgiven in time. And that spreads a good message, as previously stated before these books share connections through the storytelling. And through that I believe that as much as these stories are about a journey and the obstacles they face, I also believe that these stories are big ‘Father and Son’ bonding stories. Do you agree?
Work Cited:
“Scenes - Father & Son.” God of War, godofwar.playstation.com/scenes/2.
Wagamese, Richard. Medicine Walk. McClelland & Stewart, 2019.
I believe sometimes people mess up and we refer to it as human however unless we learn to overcome these mistakes and make all forgiven then we would be truly handicapped. Though some people attempt to forgive they must make that extra step or else it is meaningless, it shows you won't care for them in the near nor far future.
DeleteDear Nathan,
DeleteThanks for responding.
With love, Alex
love you too cutie
DeleteNo homo, Nathan
ReplyDeleteTo the everyday eye this book may just seem like a journey of death and reconnection with his father but it is in fact much more for it is a hero’s journey. It all begins in the first step of a hero’s journey an ordinary world; Franklin Starlight is a 16-year-old hard working indigenous male who works on his adopted fathers farm of which he spends countless hours keeping in top shape. He is an outcast solely because he is a minority and resents no emotion to those around him. Bunky tells Franklin his dads looking for him so he sets out, only to find his dad pissed drunk and knee-deep in hookers asking to be buried the warrior way (Step 2 Call for Adventure), however he denies this request saying “you ain’t no warrior,” (Step 3 Refusal of The Call) but he ends up doing it anyways. Franklin now finds himself in a forest one of which he doesn’t know (Step 4 Crossing the Threshold) yet keeps working through it. On their path they’re met by a bear while Eldon and the horse were stuck in the grass so Franklin decides to step in and scare it off (Step 5 Tests, Allies, Enemies). Later in the book Eldon is dead and Franklin learns a new term and is able to adapt, learn, and hone it to the best of his abilities and that reward is forgivness (Step 6 Reward). It is time for Frank to return home (Step 7 The Road Back) and he has a greater knowledge for life now and realizes how his family came to be and appreciates all he’s been given from not only Bunky but from his father Eldon.
Work Cited:
http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/the-hero-journey-mythic-structure-of-joseph-campbell-monomyth.html
Richard Wagamese, Medicine Walk
I may not personally say that medicine walk is a heros story but the connections you've made in comparing work in your favor of the argument. Using more hard evidence from the book per point and a few from a specific hero story to strengthen your point.
DeleteI see how u can call it a hero's story due to the steps that the characters through. Each step in some ways you could say it is a hero story only through the way you presented it.
DeleteThroughout the novel “Medicine Walk” the journey aspect is clearly represented. This story is unlike any other yet similar to many. One thing that has similarities to the book “Three Day Road” is how Angie tempted Eldon somewhat like the french man tempted Niska into having sex with him. Of course, there are a few key differences between them that will be explored as well as my personal perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhen Angie tempted Eldon, she had decided to gently impose herself onto him, at first as a friend and then getting into a more intimate relationship, whereas for the french man and Niska, the relationship was purely sexual. Whether a relationship is for love or for sexual pleasure doesn’t matter but it is horrible to use someone just to make them lose their virginity and disgrace them. Even though Angie is also in the wrong, she still has a good heart unlike the french man. It is a common archetype in books to have some misunderstanding or lack of communication ruin or impede relationships. In this case it is the betrayal of Bunky, that costs Angie and Eldon his love and friendship. This is why Angie was wrong. She decided to betray a man who loved her without talking about how she felt about him first, similarly to Cho Chang who betrayed Harry in the movie “Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix.” Even if he loved her and she clearly knew, she didn’t deny him and betrayed him on multiple occasions with another man named Cederic Diggory. Even if Angie betrayed Bunky, it doesn’t make her a bad person since she genuinely seems to care about Bunky, Eldon, and her unborn baby.
Angie also might have felt that it wasn't a direct betrayal since Bunky never directly admits his feelings for her. https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4795371 (Chloe Rose Stuart-Ulin, CBC Life) This link could’ve helped Bunky understand Angie’s point of view better and would’ve caused fewer misunderstandings towards her actions.”When issues are not addressed, the risk of recurrence and lingering bad feelings is high," (Dr. Emily Blake, CBC live) This could’ve been what happened between Angie and Bunky. Even if he couldn't get mad at her, he let those unspoken feeling build up against Eldon.
There are many different possibilities as to why Angie decided to betray Bunky and these are only a few speculations since her point of view was never spoken of. From the little the readers know about her, Angie has had a tough life filled with death and desolation. It was insinuated that Angie became a prostitute during the time before Bunky came into her life. He has helped her overcome a tough part of her life but she still craved the physical aspect of a relationship, which is where Eldon comes in. Even after death, Angie’s journey continues through Eldon, Bunky, and Franklin and even though she is only in a small part of the story, Angie is still very significant and has an effect on the outcome of the story. I would like to hear what other people think about her, her motives and how her journey affected the story.
(this is from sylvie by the way)
DeleteI agree with your point that Angie was wrong when she betrayed Bunky who loves her so much but this case doesn’t compare to Cho Chang and Harry Potter situation. Cho had a relationship with Cedric but then he was murdered and that broke her heart. After she met Harry at the Army and she began a relationship with him but there was no betrayal like Angie betrayed Bunky.
DeleteInsufficient parenting is very present in the novel “Medicine Walk.” Due to Eldon's almost complete absence in Franklin’s life. This is the opposite of what happened in Wemicus, he was so into his child’s life that he was suffocating her. But both were an example of insufficient parenting. Insufficient parenting can lead to trauma and the children could end up like the parents.
ReplyDeleteAll children need to feel like their parent or parents are a part of their lives. Eldon was not seen in the novel much at the beginning. It was Franklin and Bunky as a family with Eldon as a side member that Franklin didn’t see often. It was a slow process until their none existent bond as father and son formed. If he had been more present in his life some of the bond would have already formed.
Comparing Eldons journey reattaching himself to his son the the journey of Wemicus loosening his grip on his daughter was an interesting choice yet has splendid possibilities. The journey between two families on two different ends of the spectrum working towards the center works well, although a few more connections to both stories would have heavily impacted the comparison in a positive way.
DeleteI disagree I think they wanted what was best for their kids. Wemicus wanted his daughter a man who would never give her up, never let her down, never run around or hurt her (Rick Astley). Eldon didn't want to hate the kid and gave it to Bunky so he could love it as much as Bunky loved Angie.
ReplyDeleteThat was meant for faiths comment but I guess it didn't count as a reply
DeleteIn Medicine Walk, Richard Wagamese has used the journey as a more expressive and interesting way to tell the story. Through all the journeys in the novel the characters are put in a situation where they can be developed and explore spontaneously. Beside the main journeys of Eldon and Franklin, Bunky’s journey also has contributed to the success of the story. It helps the readers to easily understand what the content in Medicine Walk, characters’s personality and feelings and have a general view on the themes. His journey is not just a normal physical journey, it’s more general and extensive stage. Bunky appears to be a precious friend to Eldon and Angie but also a pitiful person when he is betrayed by his beloved ones.
ReplyDeleteFrom the betrayal that Bunky experienced, we realize that we can’t choose our families but we can choose who are we friends with which is why a betrayal friendship hurts so bad. Bunky met some of partners such as Eldon and Angie but it seems they came and went into his life quickly. His most treasured friend and the woman he loves respond to his help and sincere feelings with the betrayal. It is the most difficult and unforgettable moment in his life because he thought this place finally become a home for him. “If someone comes into your life and has a positive impact on you, be thankful that your paths crossed. And even if they can’t stay for some reason, be thankful that they some how made you happy for a short while.”-PowerPlug. This story has brought me back to my own story when was 14 with my old best friend, Son. I’m not salty about this anymore because it was 3 years ago but my brotherhood friend stopped playing with be because of a girl that he just met. We first met when my family moved next to his house and we became friends right after. I was 3 and he was 1 year old older than me so we went to same schools. Our parents also became best friend so he and I spent most of our time hanging out with other. Son was the only friend I trusted because we had been through thick and thin together. Once day, he met one of Linh and felt in love with her right away. They got into a relationship after a while and Linh told him that she didn’t want him to hang out with me anymore in front of me. Son told me to leave without hesitation and ignored me after. I couldn’t believe that my best friend had stabbed me in the back and threw away our 11 years friendship so easily. Now, I see Son few times through our family ‘s trips. He broke up with that girl after 5 months, he was completely miserable after he realized he lost both his friendship and relationship. It’s been quite long now that I don’t care much about it anymore and barely know him. I got some texts and apologies from him but it’s not something I would forgive because how can you forgive someone or trust them again after something they’ve done like betrayal?? But, after everything Eldon and Angie did, Bunky even gives them his truck and money then they left him with lonely and sadness. Some people might think that he is foolish but he has an immensely kind and generous heart above. When Eldon becomes a alcoholic and causes Angie’s death, he realizes he has lost everything. Eldon in Medicine Walk and Son in my story have made their choices that they couldn’t change it. The choice will lead to whatever the result is and they have to accept it no matter they want it or not. For the people who are betrayed by their close friends, let the story stays in the past and feel thankful for whatever it brought to you because everything happened has its reasons. I would like to hear more about your own story or other stories that you know are similar and also how did you/others get over it.
Here are some links of video that will help you to move on from a betrayal by a friend:
https://youtu.be/cQ_oWIggv7g
https://youtu.be/sRFi5e2vXRw
https://youtu.be/nBNauwZuddA
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ReplyDelete