Green Grass Running Water

Thomas King’s Green Grass Running Water has many pop-cultural and biblical allusions throughout the novel. In parts three and four of the novel these allusions are evident and help contribute to the story.

Throughout the novel Thomas King uses the pop-cultural allusion by using John Wayne references and it is evident in part three (P.321). This contributes to the story because John Wayne is a Hollywood actor, which gives the reader a sense of what Hollywood is like. The choice of the actor John Wayne is also an ideal charecter because he is famous in Western films therefore making Portland a more believable western film actor.

Biblical allusions are also used many times throughout the novel and in part three King reenacts Virgin Mary’s meeting Arch Angel Gabriel. In King’s version the character Thought Woman meets A.A. Gabriel who tells Thought Woman that she has to sign her “Virgin verification form” to have the “baby” on page 270. The biblical allusion contributes to the story because it shows King’s humor whilst creating a parody of the meeting between Virgin Mary and Arch Angel Gabriel.

The second pop-cultural allusion is the use of the three cars throughout the novel and this is evident in part three on page 284, when Alberta’s car goes missing. Her car along with two other cars go missing as well. The three cars are the red Pinto, The blue Nissan, and the white Karmann-Ghia . These cars are used to symbolize Christopher Columbus’ ships that he used to travel which are the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria. King does this to show irony in the novel because Columbus traveled on these ships to America and would steal the native’s land. In Green Grass Running Water King illustrates natives stealing the three cars that represent Columbus’ ships, creating irony in the story.

Throughout Green Grass Running Water the story of creation is told many times and King puts a twist on many biblical stories to add humor to the novel. ‘ “In the beginning, there was nothing.” “Nothing?” “That’s right,” says Coyote. “Nothing.” “No,” I says. “In the beginning, there was just the water.”…’ (p.431) This quote demonstrates King’s parody to the story of creation.
On page 235 Dr.Hovaugh and Babo see a bright morning star in the sky. This is an allusion to the biblical story, the Star of Bethlehem, where the Star of Bethlehem guides Mary and Joseph to where they should have their child. This contributes to the story because in King’s Green Grass Running Water it is a bright morning star that guides Babo and Dr. Hovaugh to their destination.

… “Earthquake,” yelled Clifford Sifton. “Earthquake,” yelled Bill Bursum. “Earthquake,” yelled Dr. Joseph Hovaugh. “Earthquake, Earthquake!” yells Coyote “Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee.” (410-411) This Quote from the novel exposes Coyote for what he is, free-spirited troublemaker. Throughout the novel coyote’s actions and dialogue have shown us that his personality could be described as care free and silly. When Coyote causes the earthquake he begins to laugh this shows that he is a troublemaker for causing the earthquake. He is careless and free-spirited because after causing this unnatural disaster he begins to laugh.
From pages 239-241 Lionel has an epiphany. Lionel becomes depressed and embarrassed about many aspects in his life. He wants to change it all so he can stop living what he believes is an inadequate life and become happy and successful. This is best represented when he says, ‘ “Today,” he shouted at the mirror, “Today things change.” ’ (P.240) This quote from Lionel shows the reader that although Lionel had always dreamed about becoming successful, he has put it off for a long time. When he shouts in the mirror it demonstrates his new found will to persevere and to take action.

“The Indian who couldn’t go home. It was a common enough theme in novels and movies. Indian leaves the traditional world of the reserve, goes to the city, and is destroyed. Indian leaves the traditional world of the reserve, goes to the city, and is destroyed. Indian leaves the traditional world of the reserve, is exposed to white culture, and becomes trapped between two worlds. Indian leaves the traditional world of the reserve, gets an education, and is shunned by his tribe. Indians. Indians. Indians.” (286). This accurately shows Eli’s uncertainty on what life he wants to live. It also shows that he fears that he won’t be accepted by either the white culture or the Indian culture.(The white culture for being a traditional Indian and the Indian culture for leaving the reserve and adapting to white culture). This passage best describes Eli’s insecurities and how he wants change.

Three Day Road

There is the explosion and the kick. As the smoke clears, I see that the rifle that I aimed above is now lying on the ground at an angle. The knowledge slowly sinks in. As I peer through the scope for movement, I know there won’t be any.(129)

I chose this quote because it accurately depicts when Xavier shoots and kills the German sniper. This scene is important because it is the first time Xavier has taken someone else’s life. Even in the face of danger he hesitated and only when his instincts took over did he take the shot. This is also important because the Hun sniper who has been haunting Xavier and Elijah is now dead and Sean Patrick’s death has been avenged. Both men desperately wanted to seek revenge for the death of their friend. What Xavier didn’t realize is that revenge isn’t as sweet as it seems.

This scene is important to the book because it leads to the distancing of the relationship between Xavier and Elijah. Xavier cannot see how Elijah can possibly take pleasure in killing others. Xavier grows tired of having to kill and as a result loses his will to participate in battle. He no longer cares about much else but to return to his home, a peaceful harmonious culture, but instead he has to remain in a foreign war torn land fighting battles he does not want to.