Activity 3.1.4 – Borders by Thomas King
Due: Sunday, 13 October 2024, 8:45 AM
Make a submission
The following questions are based on the short story "Borders" by Thomas King ( found in Unit 3 - Resource Folder).
Work with a partner to discuss the questions. You may present your answers in writing, or in an audio/video recording.
Use specific details from the story when appropriate. Double check your responses, for grammatical accuracy.
- What does the term “reserve” refer to?
- What does the border separate?
- Why does Laetita’s mom dress so that she doesn’t “look American” at the border?
- Why does Laetita’s mom refuse to declare her citizenship as either Canadian or American?
- Explain what Mel means when he says Laetita’s mom is “an inspiration to us all”.
- In your opinion what does the border symbolize?
- If this event had not been highlighted by the media, how would the story have likely ended?
- What does the term Blackfoot refer to? Conduct a cursory search of the internet and write a short summary of what you find about the Blackfoot people. Include a picture with your answer.
- Discuss the story from either a Post Colonial or Marxist/ Conflict Perspective. Identify and explain the aspects of colonialism or power struggles/conflicts presented in the story. In your answer, identify at least two quotations, and discuss how they contribute to your chosen perspective.
* Note: Unless indicated otherwise, use your own ideas in your answers. Do not copy analyses or explanations from the internet.
