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Oppression Of An Individual's True Self In Turtle Island By Joseph Boyden

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Nowadays society see’s an individual's adolescence as the point in their life where they discover who they are, and what kind of character they want themselves to be portrayed as. The experiences a youth may go through may help someone find their identity, but it’s not what you go through that defines you, you can’t choose that. It’s the decisions you do afterward that helps you develop into the person you ought to be. There is always going to be influences in the world that have the power to conceal an individual’s true self; and because of this, these days, our community's youth may find themselves having to make enormously weighted decisions. In, “Turtle Island”, Joseph Boyden takes us to the world of an 11 year old Aboriginal boy who is caught between the rough world of a first nations Posse, and his dawning …show more content…

Nevertheless, suppressing who you are may allow for harmful opportunities arise, but in the end and individual may learn; and reflect on their final choices their sincere identity. Originally the protagonist starts off by trying to prove himself with opposing thoughts and priorities to what he believes. The drive comes through gaining admiration and acceptance of his Indian Posse. But as each wrong decisions digs him into a deeper hole, he comes to the conclusion that consideration and respect for his family's feelings are needed when trying to make a choice. The truth has been set free when making that final big step, risking everything he is, in an attempt to spare the feelings of what’s closest to him, his family. And although his fate is uncertain, we can conclude that for the first time instead of listening to the people and the environment around him, he listened to his conscious. This allows him to gain what he previously was aiming for and that is independence, and being his own

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