As Lao Tzu famously said “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. In Patrick DeWitt’s “The Sister Brothers” Eli’s journey begins with one trot of a horse. As contract killers, the only thing Eli Sisters and his brother know is killing and blood. As they travel across the old west to complete what Eli hopes will be their last job; kill Herman Kert Warm, Eli searches to discover his true self. Upon this journey, the truth to Eli’s harsh reality is revealed and his inner struggle is uncovered. Eli is very unhappy with his life and fails to understand why he cannot accept himself for who he is. Eli’s journey to find Herman Kert Warm is really his journey to discover himself and his self-happiness. While trekking on this journey Eli questions his own …show more content…
Body Paragraph One Eli’s biggest internal struggle is with his morality which he calls into question from the beginning of his journey. When Eli is given his contract for Herman Kert warm he exclaims “I was hoping this would be my last” (DeWitt 2). As he embarks on his journey and rides to Oregon, Eli questions the wrongdoings of his actions and the repercussions of what he does. Early in his journey, Elis big heart is first apparent through his sympathy shown towards his horse, Tub. Elli exclaims “I was often forced to whip him, which some men do not mind doing and which in fact some enjoy doing, but which I did not like to do; and afterward he, Tub, believed me cruel and thought to himself, Sad life, sad life.”(DeWitt). Later on, Tub, is attacked by a bear and terribly wounded. As most people would shoot their horse and purchase a new one, Eli refuses to do so. He instead tends to, cares and shows more compassion towards Tub. This is the first occurance in which we see Eli not as a killer but a human with a soft and caring heart. As his journey continues Eli is forced to kill many men but