In a general sense heroism in the novel is the novel. The plot, setting, and stories from the past all depict acts of heroism like the ones described earlier. Personally, this story would be nothing without heroism because Doyle’s lack of plot means that the book leans mostly on the development of characters and therefore the characters create the book’s major plot points.
Discuss the role of stories in the novel. As part but not all of you discussion, you need to discuss how Doyle tell stories and how much of the novel function as a self-aware, metafictional discussion of not only storytelling but the story, Mink River, itself.
Neawanaka is somewhat of an extension of the west coast of Ireland and so gives a bit of a throwback to all the Irish stories told by Owen as well as the obvious setting of where all the ancient people lived in the worried man’s stories. Irish tales are not only literally given in the story though, because it seems as though Doyle's writing or way of storytelling which reflects consciousness style also found in Irish stories. I thought of this only because I have read some parts of Ulysses and it seemed as though Mink River could have definitely been an inspiration from the actually vocabulary Doyle uses to the type of voice he adopts represents “Irish-y” writing.
Specifically, the run-on sentences and abrupt "plot" shifts are like to the writing in Ulysses. This is what made the novel enjoyable for me, because if one tries to approach Mink River as a normal linear book it can become exhausting to try and keep up with all the character dialogue, writing, and small amounts of plot. Therefore, a more satisfying way to approach the storytelling technique of Mink River is to see it as a poem. By doing this one accepts that the lack of grammar is part of the rhythm created through the writing. Other examples of “poem-like” writing are Doyle's words that are occasionally mashed together like "bittersweetorangeyellowacidic" taste of a salmonberry, as well as the use of "Worried Man," as a title for no apparent reason.
The best part about Doyle's storytelling style is his skill at illustrating the unique mannerisms of people and their quirks that make them so believable. Also, it is extremely obvious that Doyle loves the act of story telling, especially when he writes "[I]t would take a million years to tell a millionth of their lives and we don't have the time, worse luck, for their stories are riveting and glorious and searing," (no specific page number because I unfortunately read this on my mom’s kindle from her ipod which has no page numbers…which is frustrating. However, if you really would like the page number I could certainly find and email it…but that might be excessive).
As for Mink River itself it basically is a book of storytelling. Half the book or more gives readers anechdotes, whether obvious or subtle, of people’s lifes. This is part of the poetic writing in the book, as it is much less focused on the plot of the main book but snippets of past life’s like the old Irish tales, the People’s stories, and random memories provided by the characters like when Moses reflects on the Nun. It could be said that Mink River is like Chicken Noodle Soup book series because it is more a collection of short stories, that are truthfully barely connected.
4. Discuss the novel’s final section V. What are the important moments, salient themes, etc., and how does this section connect to the story as a whole?
I’m going to approach this last section a little differently and answer it in more bullet point answers than a cohesive essay.
As shown below in one of the themes this section ties the book back together because it simply acts as a realistic book end with Maple Head assigning the class another essay as she did in the start of the book.
Below are Themes/ Moments
Themes/ Moments/ Final Section:
The Mixing of Cultures and the Acceptance of your life are is important to the book as is in the mix of Nora and Owen’s culture as well as Daniel needing to accept his legs and his odd family blend.
“You are a price among men. I am blessed and graced to have you as a son.”
Return to beginning of novel acts as a book end and ties everything together
“Final project, says Maple Head to her class. In the last fifteen minutes of class today, write down some things you believe in that don’t make sense. Write essay, but don’t worry about coherence and shape and narrative style. Just make notes”
This is analogous to “Neawaka” project, but with a sense of seriouness and curiosity:
“those who know you best are exactly those who can deliver you the most pain no longer about stories, but analyzing these stories—analyzing life. Looking back. Gaining wisdom”
preparing youth to entire a more mature world ties in with
youth subject
Naming (as a themes is extremely important as seen in characters like Nora, May, and Worried Man)
“I must say that the name has come to fit him beautifully. To be honest I cannot even remember the name he had when we were in the mountains during the war. That name died with the man he used to be”
Youth & Coming of Age
Love had been previously explored in the novel from a wiser, elder perspective (Owen and No Horses, Maple Head and WM, etc.) but at the end of story Doyle explores love from youth’s perspective, this gives chance for NEW ideas and perspecive=new insight
“As my mother says Marriage doesn’t make any sense whatsoever and is clearly an agreement between two fools for the Prepetuation of a foolish race, writes Blink. However, I believe that Marriage has its uses and utilities”
Overall developing own opinion means that you are coming of age
Birth of Sarah’s daughter signifies the importance and representation of youth
“she laughs so hard her cheeks and stomach hurt, and she stands up, laughing, to stretch her stomach, as she turns around and reaches out a hand to touch his face her water breaks”
Overall youth means happiness
Daniel walks again is a symbol of strength and youth as well as coming of age
“Can I walk now please? Can you? You all right? Yes. Sure? Yes.”
Passing of Wisdom from elderly to the young
“But I believe it is an error to wonder about what you do not know” WM talking about Cedar
“Children are important, and serving each other is important” governor speech to Miguel
“well son, says Cedar to Nicholas, I’ve drawn up the papers for you to quietly take over the Department”
Heroes become the Helpless and Vice-Versa
Maple Head taking care of Worried Man
“Getting Worried Man out of the robosuit at night was an adventure, and it took Maple Head a few nights to figure out the drill, but she got good at it right quick and could peel him like a banana and squirt him into the bed..” 304
Immersion of Natue to youth
“the baby slides smoothly out of sara onto the sweet soil at the edge of the garden”
symbolic that nature will always play part in future generation
