The Analysis of the Stranger, John Wilson in The Secret Lives of Sgt. John Wilson Heroes in literary works were once referred to as the "rebel"; however, the rebel has been replaced by the "stranger" in recent literature. In Lois Simmie's The Secret Lives of Sgt. John Wilson, the novel centers on the title character who is alienated, disaffected and an outsider. The author’s depiction of the central character of Wilson as a stranger engages the reader in a different way, by having the reader want to know more about this mysterious and striking figure. Wilson is an outsider. His nationality as a Scot is a disadvantage since English were among the least desired immigrants. When Wilson arrives in Saskatoon, he sees “long lines of men applying for work were greeted with signs flatly stating ‘English Need Not Apply’” (p. 12). In addition, when Wilson travels to the store to buy the marriage license, …show more content…
Wilson is a liar who has been living two different lives. There is one life in Scotland. He steals money from his wife’s brother Jim. There is another life in Canada. To Jessie and his friends in Canada, Wilson is a divorced and romantic Mountie who has been tricked by his immoral former life. Wilson does not have the courage the face the real self. He is trying to conceal his dark side, but the more lies he made up, the more problems need to straighten out. Therefore, Wilson begins to drinking excessively. Wilson is trying to numb himself and to hide the truth by drinking. “He was seen drunk in uniform on a train by a member of the RNWMP” (p. 66). A drunken Mountie is obviously not acceptable in that community. Finally, once things became uncontrollable, he decided to end Polly’s life. Wilson’s murder trial attracted hundreds of spectator. “Saskatoon was not to see another scene to compare with it until the 1985 trial” (p. 184). Because he stole money, drank in uniform, and killed his wife Wilson broke the rules of his society; he is