The Power of Story Telling Highlighted Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden

In chapter four, “Narration: Telling a Story”, from the book The Bedford Read, published by Bedford/St. Martin’s, the authors suggest that when narrating a story the writer keep a few points in mind. To begin with, the writer is advised never to reveal the thesis statement while, but instead save it till the end. The closer to the conclusion the thesis is revealed, therefore more intrigued the audience will remain. Next, it’s strongly suggested the writer keep a past or present verb tense. Third, the author’s give the writer a choice to choose between two narration strategies, scene or summary. Scene, is the act of vividly detailing an event, and summary is the act of relating events concisely. Finally, a great narrated story consist

Literary Devices Character “There was no emotion in her eyes, no sense of the person behind it… At the girl's throat was a necklace of human tongues … Just for a moment the girl looked at Mark Fossie with something close to contempt” (O’brien 105). From the introduction of her character, Mary Anne Bell, seemed like the typical American girl, but that changed within time. Her character at first was flat and dull; she behaved in the way any “girl next door” type would. Coming to Vietnam to her was like a little trip to visit her boyfriend, not knowing the true realities that lay ahead.

The protagonist of Three Day Road comes in the form of Xavier Bird, a taciturn and humble young Cree man who finds himself tossed into the chaos of the Great War; a global phenomenon that turned men into monsters and the land into a place suitable for no man. Through his devotion to his spirituality, refusal to conform to wemistikoshiw ways, and steadfast sense of morality, Xavier manages to maintain his identity throughout the novel.

An individual’s identity is an ever changing composition of a person’s aspirations, beliefs and morality. Identity change is often influenced by many aspects of an individual’s life, but individuals must always return to their roots in order to stay true to their morality. This internal struggle over one’s identity is successfully illustrated in the characters of Three Day Road. In the novel, Joseph Boyden vividly recounts the journey of two Native Canadian soldiers, Xavier and Elijah, who struggle with identity loss from the adversity of the Great War. Through their harrowing experiences from the battlefield, they experience a dissipation of morals which is only recovered in Xavier, the sole survivor, through Niska’s stories of her past, his own past, and of the

Upon starting Joseph Boyden's Three Day Road it may seem to the reader that the train taking Xavier and Elijah from their home in the Ontario bush serves as a far more linear, and highly Western rejection of the circle, the narrative structure and aboriginal perspective that defines the novel. The train makes its first

The damage and trauma of the first world war had devastating impacts for countless individuals all across the world. It caused the destruction of entire cities and claimed the lives of millions. Joseph Boyden’s Three Day Road focuses on the stories of three Cree-Canadians and their experiences during the great war both on the battlefield and the home front. In order to shed light on the often historically disregarded sacrifices and contributions of First Nations people during the first world war, Joseph Boyden uses symbolism to illustrate the impact of trauma from the First Nation’s perspective in his novel Three Day Road. The lynx embodies Niska’s strength in the face of adversity, the number three represents Xavier’s difficulty to reconcile

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden is a story about Aboriginal struggles in World War One. Boyden’s story is told in the perspectives of Xavier, a fictional Oji-Cree boy, returning home from World War One, and Niska, his aunt. As Xavier’s only remaining relative, it is Niska’s job to take the war-broken Xavier back to the wilderness of Northern Ontario when he is discharged. As Xavier is on the gruelling three day road home, he reflects on his past experiences as Niska attempts to heal him with stories of her life, sharing with him her own experiences with “war”.

Tim O'Brien was right when he said “Stories can save us”. They saved him. Writing stories helped Tim turn into Timmy and also into a solider when he was retired and forty three years old. When O'Brien says “Stories can save us”: he lets us know that his stories helped him through the war, they also helped him stay psychologically relaxed after the war, and helped him create better versions of his memories as Timmy and Tim the soldier.

Storytelling is a way of expressing and sharing one's thoughts, imagination, and message and they are used to help educate, entertain, and share ones cultural experiences with others. Throughout the novel, Niska's fascinating and thoughtful memories and stories of her past she chooses to share with Xavier continue to affect him and change his values and perspectives of himself and his actions. Xavier is struggling when he comes home and the effects of war barricades down on him triggering his spiral into sadness and depression. As Niska witnesses her nephew use morphine she realizes her nephew needs help with his life and choices. By Niska telling Xavier about her memories, she hopes to heal him and help get Xavier out of his dark place and

In Joseph Boyden’s novel Three Day Road, Xavier and Elijah both of Cree decent are sent to fight in World War One. The characters share the same cultural identity; however endure their own experiences in which they differ dramatically. They not only face the hardship of being soldiers, but the stigma attached to being First Nation. Boyden uses a unique form of narration, as well as symbols, and motifs in order to illustrate the transitional relationship of Xavier and Elijah. From being the best of friends early in the novel hey continually grow apart. In the novel, Xavier decides that he must put a stop to Elijah’s madness and ultimately takes his life. Boyden throughout compares and contrasts these two characters in order too demonstrate how when values that are instilled in us are tarnished, it is easy to lose our moral compass In turn, we fade away from our identity, thus leading to, in this p case, Elijah’s ultimate demise. However, in the case of Xavier due to strong cultural ties he is able to withstand the trauma of the war, unlike Elijah.

My heart was thumping heavily, as the bus took a turn towards the mountains. I didn’t know why I had agreed, but it was too late to turn back.

Storytelling helps other people to emotionally connect themselves to the author so that they know they are not the only ones who are experiencing a painful or exciting experience, and are able to share the same emotions. It often helps other people to know what they should do in order to get over it when it comes to a painful experience. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings explores the life of Maya Angelou and the struggles she has been throughout her childhood to her adulthood. Richard Wagemese’s Indian Horse explores the life of Saul Indian Horse and the struggles he has been through after departing from his family. The power of storytelling can unfold questions which ask the audience of how and why are the events are unfold the

It is also assumed that the act of telling a story can provide insight into past, present and future events (Espinoza, 1997). By going through this process, individuals can find the importance of certain events and assign roles to people who are a part of their story. This act can allow a client to find new meaning and understanding to their reality (Espinoza, 1997). Not only is a

My Family and I were at home eating dinner. After dinner I told my mom that I had left something on top of the mountain, so she said “‘go up to get it Mary. But she didn’t want me to go alone so I went to go see if my friend was home but he wasn’t so I disobeyed my moms rules and went up by myself anyway. And it was starting to get dark so I had to get the base fast but I couldn’t find it. Now it was really dark and 2 hours had already passed and I couldn't my way off the mountain because it was so dark. And with my luck my phone died so I couldn’t call anyone for help, so I just started walking and walking after a little bit I realized I was getting nowhere so again I walked eventually I just fell and went to

They way stories are told may morph, but never will storytelling cease. From their people skills to their memories, there is no argument that storytellers possess boundless talent and intelligence. They were the first educators. And now, storytelling is a large part of everyday life. The news in the morning, the gossip throughout the day, the casual response to the casual “What’s up?” – It’s all a form of storytelling. Our lives are steeped in it. In almost every conversation a story is told. At every turn a story is born. So we all are storytellers, and the world is our audience, just waiting to hear the gospel leave our