how does the border crossing affect the narrator's mother from borders

Answer 1

In the short story "Borders" by Thomas King, the border crossing has a significant impact on the narrator's mother. The mother is a single, Mohawk woman who lives on a reserve in Canada but frequently travels to the United States to visit her daughter and attend powwows. The border crossing affects the mother in several ways:

1. Cultural Identity: The mother strongly identifies with her Mohawk heritage and refuses to recognize the imposed border between Canada and the United States. She believes that she belongs to the land and feels a deep connection to both sides of the border. This refusal to acknowledge the border shows her resistance towards being confined by an external authority.

2. Patience and Perseverance: The mother exhibits remarkable patience and perseverance every time she crosses the border. Despite facing repeated questioning and scrutiny from the border officers, she remains calm and steadfast in asserting her identity as a Mohawk woman. This resilience demonstrates her determination to preserve her cultural heritage and protect her right to move freely between the two countries.

3. Identity Crisis: The mother's refusal to identify as either Canadian or American creates confusion for border officers and other people around her. She challenges the notion of national identity and undermines the concept of fixed borders. This constant questioning and her insistence on her Mohawk identity ultimately lead to her being denied entry to the United States and becoming stranded at the border.

4. Symbol of Resistance: The mother's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the border serves as a symbol of resistance against colonial boundaries. Along with other Mohawk people, she stands up against the imposition of borders as a means of asserting their sovereignty and maintaining their ancestral connections. Her role as a defiant figure challenges the oppressive nature of borders and highlights the importance of cultural preservation.

Overall, the border crossing affects the narrator's mother by highlighting her strong cultural identity, testing her patience and perseverance, challenging her sense of belonging, and positioning her as a symbol of resistance against imposed borders.