Motorcycles and Sweet Grass: Character Comparison Paragraph In Drew Hayden Taylor's novel "Motorcycles and Sweetgrass," the theme of resiliency emerges as a cornerstone of the narrative, particularly through the experiences of Maggie and her son Virgil. Both characters confront significant challenges that test their capabilities. Maggie, as a single mother and community leader, and Virgil, as a young man navigating his identity and responsibilities, demonstrate remarkable resilience in overcoming their respective adversities. This shared trait defines their characters and highlights the more general message of ongoing strength within the novel. First off, Maggie is portrayed as resilient as she manages to overcome the struggle of keeping her job while satisfying her family’s needs. …show more content…
Although she faces many hardships in her job at The Band Office, Maggie’s resilience is evident as she slowly navigates the challenges of leadership while dealing with her personal life. Furthermore, Maggie becomes mentally resilient as she becomes a stronger leader in her crowd. The quote states, “To Virgil, ‘Band Office business’ is a four-letter word. Last week there was a meeting of chiefs in Halifax. Tomorrow there will be a conference with the Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa.” (Taylor, 27). This quote illustrates the extensive and demanding nature of Maggie’s leadership responsibilities. The constant travel and high-stakes meetings indicate the level of commitment and resilience required to handle such a role. Maggie’s ability to manage these demands while still attending to her family needs showcases her mental resilience. Secondly, "Virgil", portrays the idea of resiliency by overcoming his struggles, similar to Maggie. For example, “His flat-topped rock was surrounded by a small field of sweetgrass. That's how he found