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What Is The Theme Of Borders By Thomas King

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In Thomas King’s short story “Borders,” Mel, the manager of a duty-free store at the border, plays an essential role in the story. He is a character that is portrayed as helpful and supportive. Mel’s character is significant to the story because he contributes to the theme of cultural identity and border issues. One of the main characteristics of Mel’s personality is his helpfulness. When he first encounters the mother and her son in the parking lot, he immediately senses that something is wrong and approaches them. Despite not knowing them, he offers to help, asking if their car had broken down. When they reveal that they have been waiting for two days to cross the border, Mel offers to lend them his car. He even goes further to say that he would talk to the authorities on their behalf, showing his willingness to go the extra mile to help them. This attribute of Mel’s character is crucial because it helps the reader understand that Mel is a compassionate person who is willing to help strangers. Mel also shows his helpfulness when he brings snacks to the reporters who have been waiting for days to interview the mother. The reporters are hungry and frustrated, and Mel’s act of kindness towards them shows his empathetic nature. These actions make Mel a likable character that the reader can relate to. …show more content…

He supports the mother’s decision to remain loyal to her culture by refusing to identify herself as Canadian or American. Mel understands the importance of culture and identity, and this understanding leads him to support the mother in her stance. He even goes further to use his connections to help the mother and her son cross the border without identifying themselves as Canadian or American. Mel’s supportiveness towards the mother’s culture and identity helps the reader to appreciate the importance of cultural identity and how it affects the characters in the

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