Transcript of Borders by Thomas King
Setting
The main setting of the story is at the U.S. border crossing at the village of Coutts Alberta. This is where Laetitia was last seen before leaving for Salt Lake City.
We can infer that this place is not very pleasant or appealing. The name “Coutts” is described as “abrupt and rude” by the author.
Coutts Alberta is known to actually be one of the busiest border crossings in Western Canada with numerous restaurants with a total area of 98 hectares.
Coutts is a very old village, according to google it has served for “over 100 years as a border crossing”.
we can say that Coutts is a town whose population would mostly be seniors and adults as it is a known transportation hub. (people do not usually settle down in transportation hubs, they only pass through and use the amenities as a rest stop) another example of a transportation hub would be Halifax; shipping industry.
The Coutts border crossing duty free store is where the mother and the boy park their car each night after being turned away from the border.
This story does take place in modern times as 1. a judicial system which separates countries is already established and 2. The woman is driving a car.
Coutts, Alberta is the main location for the short story and the only time at which the story does not take place in Coutts is during the resolution when the mother and the boy finally are able to go to Salt Lake City.
Characterization
Point of View
Conflict
Symbols
Themes
Dynamic characters: Laetitia is a very dynamic, headstrong about leaving the reserve as it does not interest her sufficiently, nor does it appeal to her like the city. But at the end she becomes tired of the city and chooses to return to the reserve after being visited by her mom and brother.
Static characters: The mother is a Static character, she never once denies her identity no matter how many times she is pressed to choose either Canadian or American. The boy as well is also a static character, he has only one goal; to get across the border and visit Salt Lake City.
Flat Characters: Lester Tallbull (Laetitia's ex-boyfriend) not much is mentioned or revealed about him apart for a few facts.
Round Characters: The mother, Mel, Laetitia, and the boy are all round characters.
"Borders" is a first-person story told in the perspective of Laetitia's younger brother
Is told from a "limited omniscient" point of view since the reader is aware of only one character's thoughts
"I was disappointed. I hadn't seen Laetitia for a long time, and I had never been to Salt Lake City." (50)
Laetitia's brother is presumably a child, giving the story a sense of an "innocent eye" perspective
"It would have been easier if my mother had just said 'Canadian' and been done with it, but I could see she wasn't going to do that." (49)
Man vs. Man
Laetitia's mother disputes with each individual border guard
Rather than giving in and ignoring the flaws in the system, her persistence keeps the conflict present
"It didn't take them long to lose their sense of humour, I can tell you that. The one guard stopped smiling altogether [...]" (50)
Man vs. Society
The author is trying to raise awareness of the society issues the First Nations battle
Society refuses to accept the Blackfoot nation as their own
"I'd be proud of being Blackfoot if I were Blackfoot. But you have to be American or Canadian." (52)
Resolution
Laetitia's immense pride drives her to fight for justice
Though this story in centered on Laetitia's mother's battle of identity, she alone is not the only one who undergoes such unfairness
Her perseverance ultimately has the conflict resolved
"He [...] told my mother that she was an inspiration to us all." (56)
Gun
Symbolizes power and control
The border guards have power over those who pass through
"Her gun was silver. There were several chips in the wood handle and the name 'Stella' was scratched into the metal butt." (50)
The government and society have hold over the First Nations
" 'Thank you,' he said, his finger patting the butt of the revolver. 'Have a pleasant trip.' " (55)
A gun puts the threatened person in position of weakness
Border
Refer to the physical boundaries that separate Canada and America
"The border was actually two towns [...] Coutts was on the Canadian side. [...] Sweetgrass was on the American side." (48)
Refer to the borders between the First Nations and the society around them
"Then we got back in the car and drove to the Canadian border, which was only about a hundred yards away." (50)
The border guards, representing the way society thinks, disregards the Blackfoot nation, placing limitations on the way people choose to identify themselves