Comparasson essay
...his childhood. In TallMountain’s case her family life changed due to outsiders bringing in drugs and alcohol. She had become aware of the problems when she said: “Family life has been transformed, but the women try to keep the old customs” (5). As TallMountain sees life being modified by outside influence, she is able to see how easily individuals can be influenced and becomes disturbed about it. The women in the tribe try to keep customs present but some also have strong addictions to drugs and alcohol. As TallMountain witnesses the good and bad during this time she learns to take the good such as keeping the customs alive and leaving the drug and alcohol addictions behind. These qualities that she learns during her childhood allow her to build her character and start to find her self identity. Kenny goes from his childhood to using culture to help him understand who he is. The nature surrounding Kenny allows his fathers labeling of nature as culture to inspire him: “My father found so much beauty and joy in the woods and the lakes and the rivers, I too found the same beauty and freedom” (43). Being able to relate to his father allows Kenny to mature and grow into a defining individual. All of the experiences in his culture, where the importance of nature is embedded, contribute into his defining character. There is the beauty in which simplicity is expressed. A simple body of water can show how great and peaceful a large body can be. The woods are a place of Closter phobic features, complicated and confusing. Yet, his father influences him in understanding that no matter how difficult or confusing something may be, one should sit back and look at the situation from a different perspective. By using his father’s Murphy 4 technique, many dilemmas can be solved. Overcoming complication can be achieved in this way and Kenny uses this ability to detach himself from the immediate circumstances and look at the big picture. This allows Kenny to think for himself and start to create his own sense of identity. Another variable in the search for self identity is the importance of culture in TallMountain’s upbringing. She feels she can always turn back to her culture when in need of security: “My roots are here…in the hidden spaces of my blood” (12). TallMountain knows that if she is ever lost there are always blood relatives to turn to. Her roots lie within her culture and being able to understand where she came from. How she was brought up plays an important part in identifying her role in society. When TallMountain grasps the concept of applying her cultural knowledge in modern day society, she uses this tactic to help better understand herself. The hidden spaces in her blood are where memories of her cultural experiences lie. If she is ever unsure of who she is, turning back to these hidden spaces will allow her to accomplish the search. In addition to culture, writing plays just as an important task in Kenny finding his self identity. Through his writings Kenny can find the answers to what had once appeared to be unanswerable questions: “I have been a hunter of words and my game has been abundant” (40). Being able to distinguish what is necessary in the maturation process is vital in growing up. Kenny uses words to help him through this process. Through words and the constant use of writing he can accomplish the goals that he has always dreamed of. The use of what he says in his rich writing enables him to understand himself as well the problems he encounters. When stuck and otherwise thoughtless in his problems, he Murphy 5 can simplify them by writing down the si...