Perspectives

by GCG

In The Arrow Over The Door, there are two boys narrating who come from very different backgrounds and together make an interesting narrative. Stands Straight is an Indian boy whose family was told the protestant faith by a French priest. But, he still is superstitious. Samuel, is the oldest of two boys in a Quaker family. Even though his entire family is pro-peace, he still wonders. Can prayer and peace stop a gun? These boys may be very different, but they have a couple similarities.

For clarification, I will provide three examples of both their similarities and differences. First, both Samuel and Stands Straight are scared of the impending war and what it's effect will have on their families, friends and communities. But, at the same time, the involvement their families have in the war are very different. Samuel's family is not going to take part in the war, but Samuel wants to fight away the British. Stands Straight's family wants to fight, but Stands Straight doesn't want to take part in the “white man's war”.

That leads me to my second point on how they're alike: Both boys are questioning whether or not their families are making the right decision. Of course, the way they want to act goes against the way they were raised. Samuel was raised pro-peace, and Stands Straight is raised in a, not necessarily bloodthirsty, but, slightly cruel, 'killing is easy' home (stereotypical Indian style).

But, even though they were raised in drastically different settings, their morals are very similar, like the qualms of killing, a big world wariness and the basic desire to protect their family. But however similar their morals are, some of their beliefs are different. Stands Straight is superstitious, seeing 'spirits' and other stereotypical Indian beliefs. But Samuel's beliefs sound a lot like those at my church: go where the Holy Spirit leads and trust God, added to the traditional Quaker belief of peace.

Hopefully, I have explained to you that two individuals can be so alike and so different at the same time. God made us all different. If you want to know more, see The Arrow Over The Door by Joseph Bruchac.