The Knife Short Story Analysis

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becoming a better person. It also shows us how important it is for people not to judge others for superficial reasons. With a minimum of dialogue, this story sends out a major message. Charlie Lavery is the main protagonist, who works as a Pilot on his way to Yellowknife in the Yukon territory, when this short story begins. He was a Military bomber pilot in the war and believed that he was capable of taking care of himself no matter what the situation. He is very dependent on technology, and lets his pride get in the way of what's best for him. The story gives us evidence of this when the author says, he was very much of the new elite that believed that any challenge could be dealt with by good machines in the hands of skilled men. Charles also had no knowledge of the arctic or of the people that lived there because he felt that he did not need this knowledge as long as he had his machines. It was this ignorance that led him to feel so disgusted with the natives that lived there because he did not understand their way of life. When the machines that he so greatly relied on were no longer of use, he had no knowledge to fall back on. He was completely dependent on a native girl, …show more content…

She is first nation woman who shows respect, and loyalty throughout the story, even with how Charlie is treating her. She has great knowledge of how to survive in the wilderness, and unlike Charlie, she hasn't had to rely on technology at any point. Konala appreciates everything Charlie can do, Charlie on the other hand does not appreciate here, or any of the things that she can do. Instead of taking a nice cooked meal from her, he would rather eat beans from a can to prove to her that he can do things on his own. The conflict is resolved near the end when Konala rescues him exhausted in the plains, and he gains respect for her as a