"Borders" by Thomas King explores themes such as identity, belonging, and the arbitrary nature of borders. The story follows a mother and son who challenge traditional notions of borders by repeatedly crossing the Canada-US border without declaring their nationality. This challenges the idea of physical borders as defining one's identity and underscores the shared history and interconnectedness of Indigenous peoples on both sides of the border.
The irony in Boarder by Thomas King as I see it is that the mother is neither Canadian nor American, she belongs to a tribe called the Blackfoot that occupied the land well before the border existed. How can one divide a Nation of people by an imaginary line which divides two great countries? The mother is right in her claim and justifiably so. It is the guards at each boarder that need to do some research into the History of Canada, the United States and the Blackfoot tribe, the "guards" being the governments of each of these two countries.
Just my humble opinion here!
Pride is a reoccuring motif in the story borders.
the Canadian (Alberta) and American (Montana) border
To cite "Borders" by Thomas King in MLA format, include the author's name, the title of the story in quotation marks, the title of the anthology or collection in italics, the publisher, the publication year, and the page numbers. For example: King, Thomas. "Borders." A Coyote Columbus Story, Groundwood Books, 1992, pp. 1-6.
Laetitia the oldest daughter, The mother and the boy/ the narrator
Pride, Perseverance, Stubborn, strong believer, Calm.
The conflict is that him and his mother can not get past the US - Canada border because she is stating their citizenship as Blackfoot, not American or Canadian.
In "Borders" by Thomas King, the protagonist is an unnamed mother who refuses to acknowledge her nationality when crossing the border between Canada and the United States. She challenges the border officials by declaring that she is simply "Blackfoot."
Thomas King uses first person narrative in "Borders" to provide the reader with a direct and personal perspective from the main character. This perspective allows the reader to empathize with the character's emotions and experiences as they navigate challenges related to their identity and heritage. The use of first person also enhances the story's authenticity and immediacy.
a king
The thesis of the short story "Borders" by Thomas King revolves around the theme of identity, particularly exploring the complexities and fluidity of cultural identity. The story highlights the protagonist's struggle to navigate her dual heritage and the rigid border crossings that attempt to define her identity. Through the character's refusal to conform to societal norms, King questions the arbitrary nature of borders and challenges the idea of fixed identities.
Loyalty best identifies the symbolism of the sword in "King Arthur". The only person who can take the sword out of the stone is the person who first shows loyalty to the thrown.
Chris Thomas King's birth name is Chris Thomas.