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Blackfoot Identity In Borders By Thomas King

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"Borders," written by Thomas King, delves into the poignant theme of identity preservation in the face of adversity. The plot revolves around a Blackfoot mother and her son's journey to reunite with their daughter Laetitia, who has relocated to Salt Lake City. The mother, who serves as the story's central figure, is determined to safeguard her Blackfoot identity as she crosses the American-Canadian border. Her unwavering determination to hold onto her cultural heritage, even in the face of external challenges, is depicted through her refusal to declare her citizenship as either Canadian or American. Instead, she claims her citizenship as Blackfoot, underscoring the significance of cultural and ethnic heritage in shaping an individual's self-perception. King masterfully employs literary …show more content…

At the same time, the blunt-sounding Coutts is located on the Canadian side, emphasizing the fluidity and complexity of identity. The interaction between the mother and the border guard is another noteworthy example, as it illustrates the tension between the mother's Blackfoot identity and the dominant cultural norms of the border control system. Despite the border guard's insistence, the mother's unwavering stance on her Blackfoot citizenship underscores the central idea that identity is a personal and subjective concept shaped by individual experiences and cultural beliefs. In conclusion, "Borders" by Thomas King is a stirring tale that explores the human struggle to preserve one's identity in the face of adversity. "Borders" by Thomas King not only delves into an individual's efforts but also brings to light the more significant societal problem of cultural assimilation that affects marginalized communities. The mother's tenacity in retaining her Blackfoot identity highlights some of the difficulties faced by minority groups coerced into adopting the dominant cultural norms and values of their

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Noah Becker Mrs. Byrne English 3-4 18 March 2024 Do you ever wonder if you could illustrate a theme in different ways? The short stories Borders and Rules of the Game both portray the theme of past vs American culture, but Borders presents the theme in a different way. Both short stories portray the theme of past vs American culture through pride, but Thomas King also portrays the theme through conflict. Thomas King depicted the theme of Past vs American culture in his short story Borders through the conflict between the mother and her daughter. When the mom argues with her daughter, it shows the Blackfoot culture of the mother conflicting with the new American ways that the daughter wants to adopt.

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The border sentinel’s sympathy displays the desire to form an agreement, however is unable to, by way of strict security enforced by her superior. At the same time, the mother is fully aware, yet holds no qualms of the benefit she is actively taking away from not just the workers, but her own children, seen during a stay overnight “The car was not very comfortable” (7) and that “The second night in the car was not as much fun as the first, but my mother seemed in good spirits” (7). The mother being happy in this unvaried situation alludes to the notion that this effort was placed in hopes of enjoyable means rather than a moral end, in summary, to supply herself of gratification while under a guise of righteousness. The mother willfully ignores the decline of her culture’s influence, and continues to inconvenience for the purpose of maintaining her identity. Dissimilar to the patterns present in modern day society [1], the mother continues to fight for the preservation of Blackfoot living standards.

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