Richard Wagamese Identity

Throughout an individual’s entire lifetime, they will frequently receive guidance from mentors that assist them through uncertainties and difficulties they encounter along their path. This act of mentoring is enhanced by passing on traditional customs and “storytelling” the individual of past teachings that enrich their understanding of their own identity. The initial feelings of ignorance and unfamiliarity of an individual’s own identity are later transitioned into feelings of humbleness and respect once the individual thoroughly embraces their identity. It is through an individual’s own revelation and acceptance of their past that will allow them to continue travelling in the proper direction while reflecting on their honorable journey that

Garnet Raven is the main character who will undergo this self-change as he begins to truly accept everything that he surrounds him, from the native Indians to the sounds of nature in White Rock. He is able to fully appreciate his surroundings not only from his own determination but also from the assistance of old man Keeper. While the novel describes positive aspects of integrating into a fast-paced, modern society, Wagamese criticizes this tendency for humans to indulge themselves in this “big, shiny” outside world as it sometimes makes people lose themselves from forgetting the old spirit inside of them. This paper will demonstrate the benefits of embracing tradition and culture since it allows individuals to discover an unseen, hidden side of themselves that they were previously unaware of. Wagamese uses the factors of humbleness, respect and gratitude to indicate the transition an individual experience from feelings of emptiness to those of

By following through the tobacco offering process, Garnet is able to constantly remind himself to be thankful for everything that has assisted with his growth as a human. By displaying gratitude, this allows Garnet to “really try’n see this world around [him]… see lots that taught [him] something sometime.” (255) Wagamese uses the idea of “really try’n to see this world” to demonstrate that it is only possible to become truly thankful when one learns to apply the teachings and knowledge they have received to their daily lives. The insight that Garnet attains from absorbing all the fundamental traditions that he becomes familiar with causes him to reawaken a hidden side of his identity that was he was previously ignorant of. By “really try’n to see this world”, Garnet begins to understand that in order to maintain a steady relationship with his inner self, it is necessary to balance the life which he was born from and the outside world that moves at a faster pace. In order to lead his future path and continue his storytelling towards others who will may need the same assistance that he once needed, Garnet realizes that his roots must never be abandoned. Wagamese elucidates that after he “sees lots that taught [him] something sometime”, the