An examination of the symbolism of moccasins in Joseph Boyden's Three Day Road “Instead of writing my rules, I followed his. And that’s when I knew it all went wrong, ”(Riccitello). This quotation shows that the only way to truly be yourself, and have life go your way, is to write the rules specifically for you and not follow in someone else’s footsteps since you are your own person. Joseph Boyden’s Three Day Road follows three main characters through their lives through residential schools, life in the bush and their lives during the war. Keeping a piece of who they want to remain will help them along the path of remaining who they want to be. Niska is a very good example of this. On many occasions she started to lose her sense of self, although, came back to her senses by holding onto something from her past. Before Elijah and Xavier leave for war, Niska makes them both a pair of moccasins and a small kit full of things to help them get home safely. Each pair of moccasins are made with care and purpose. On one occasion, Niska deserts her indigenous habits to go see her Frenchman and in the end, goes back to her old ways. The ways she was taught to live by as a child …show more content…
Unlike Elijah, Xavier holds the pack and moccasins very high and always keeps them as a reminder as to what is waiting for him when he gets out of the war. He also keeps it as a reminder for himself to remain who he is and not fall into the habits of the white man in war. The gifts he received from Niska were put together with thought and purpose and he keeps this in mind throughout. Xavier uses the gifts he was given and his hope for going back home to ensure that he stays as close to himself as he can under the circumstances. Although Xavier changed drastically, he did not let go of himself the way Elijah did, he adapted to his surroundings and it changed him in drastic