Summary Of Borders By Thomas King

In Borders, by Thomas King the mother is affected by a border crossing. In the beginning she is very upset that her daughter is going to Salt Lake City. Everything the Laetitia says Salt Lake City has that makes it so great; her mother points out they have the same things right there on the reserve. For example, when Laetitia’s boyfriend Lester says they have a huge temple, a zoo and great mountains for skiing, her mother replies, “got all the skiing we can use here, Cardston’s got a temple, if you like those kinds of things.” Laetitia’s mother just doesn’t want her daughter to leave because she will really miss her. She even goes as far as to say that Salt Lake City sounds too good to be true trying to persuade her daughter not to leave.

She points out that at least she didn’t leave chasing after a boy or because she was pregnant. She states that Laetitia is doing very well and has a good job. Her mother starts to come around and accept the fact that Laetitia can do as she pleases as her husband is American so her daughter can go where she pleases. The mother also struggles with the fact that she is Canadian and doesn’t feel as though she has to tell the border guard, she feels it is none of their business. The mother is very proud and refuses to tell them so, after a couple of days the news crew shows up. She still refuses to tell them or leave and finally her and her son get to cross the American border. They arrive in Salt Lake City and Laetitia is very happy to see them. She takes them out to eat at a fancy restaurant, takes them to the temple and the shopping mall. Her mother still a little resentful points out that the mall is not as big as theirs back home. At the end of the visit Laetitia wants them to stay longer, but the mother says she has things to do back home and they leave. Laetitia says she is thinking about coming back home, the mother deciding not to voice her opinion any longer simply states do as you please and Laetitia says that is just