Pages 38-64, 420-424

In this assignment, we are asked to analyze and connection as many allusions to historical references as possible. Upon my first read in the previous assignment, I found the constant changing style of the book quite unnerving, and daunting. It was no simpler this time round, so I hope that my writings are accurate to the proper interpretation of the text.

Dr. Joseph Hovaugh and Dr. John Eliot
One of the most obvious allusions in the book is the subtle connection of Dr. Joseph Hovaugh to Jehovah. In reference to both characters, it becomes clear the Hovaugh is a representation of a colonizer, and Eliot is a man that advocates rights against those who have been colonized. This becomes clearer when we look at the positions of each individual, both in reference to their job, and their thoughts. Hovaugh works at an asylum to keep the four Indians inside, which becomes an allusion to the dominant issue of many First Nations both past, and sometimes present. This is the issue of the colonizers versus the natives, or the colonized. It becomes clearer in Jane Flick’s analysis where Dr. Hovaugh hospital is on the same site as the prison in Fort Marion, Florida that the old Indians go to for prison. This connection helps to further mind Hovaugh’s role as the colonizer, imprisoning and oppressing the First Nations.

Another direction of characterizing Dr. Joseph Hovaugh and his allusions, is to the subtle references to the Christian bible. We see that King makes reference of Dr. Hovaugh to be old and worn, as seen by his garden trees falling victim to blight, and must be replaced by new saplings. We see the parallel of Dr. Hovaugh’s garden to himself, being disconnected and confused, rather than powerful as wise. This becomes a major difference between the play-on-word connection of Dr. Hovaugh to Jehovah, the God, and how Dr. Hovaugh is represented in the novel, confused and worn. This take on King’s characterization leads me to believe that king is trying to allude to the fact that “Euro-centric societies [need] to re-evaluate the values that Dr. Hovaugh represents” (Eldatari, 2009) in order for people like the Old Indians, to be a part of society and create a forwards change for First Nations.

The Four Indians

Similar to Hovaugh and Eliot, I found that the four Indians are allusions that represent the idea of colonization. First, I found that the four Indians were split into two groups, those who fought for their culture, like Lone Ranger and Hawkeye, and those who are weakened, who did not protect their culture, like Ishmael and Robinson Crusoe. In Jane Flick’s analysis, it is said that Robinson is an allusion to Defoe’s hero, who was a shipwreck survivor that lived by cannibalism. When rescued, he was named a savage, similar to Robinson; this reference even goes as far to Crusoe’s shirt that references the palm trees, signalling the connection to the deserted islands. In the shipwreck, Robinson was weakened and left for dead, crushed. However, his tenacity and perseverance paid off in his life. This can also be said to be an allusion to the states of colonialized First Nations. Both Robinson and Ishmael in King’s story, show that they are weakened, but their tenacity may be the true key to prevail against colonialism.

Norma and Lionel

Norma and Lionel’s positions are two sides of First Nations adopted lifestyles. Norma feels that her nephew is abandoning his Indian roots by adopting with the Western ideals and ways of living, while Lionel is perfectly happy with his Canadian lifestyle. Norma is an allusion to the figures of our lives that remain to carry old traditions. I remember my grandma when I read parts of the novel where Norma appeared, because she constantly reminded of the traditions that my grandma would bring when she comes over. It becomes hard for me to distance my comfortable patterns of life as a twenty-first century Canadian. However, as her time with me moves on, my abrasion to these new traditions, slowly fade. I found my experience mirrored by Lionel, whose life as a TV salesmen made his stable. However, as he travels with Eli, his experience shift, and wanes. He decides that he wants to stay in the cabin. I find Lionel’s experience an allusion to the lives of many First Nations, where they struggle to balance their traditions with the lives that they live in the Christianized world.

Latisha and Alberta Frank

Lastly, Latisha and Alberta are examples of First Nations who have remained with the roots and traditions. Alberta’s name is an immediate allusion to the Canadian province and home of Thomas King. She is the “principal female character in the realist story” as Flick notes, and it is also possible that her name is derived from Frank, Alberta on the Turtle River; the town was the site of a major disaster and it was buried by the recognized Frank Slide of 1903.

Works Cited

Flick, Jane. “Reading Notes for Thomas King’s Green Grass, Running Water.”Canadian Literature 161.162 (1999): 140-72. 1999. Accessed. 18 March 2020.

King, Thomas. Green Grass Running Water. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2007. Print.

“Lone Ranger”. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., Accessed 18 March 2020

The CanLit Guides Editorial Team “ Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King” CanLit Guides, Accessed 15, March 2020.

Eldatari. “Dr. Joseph Hovaugh and Jehovah.” Words and Names, Accessed 17, March 2020.