What determines identity? Dictionaries describe it as “the fact of being who or what person”. But what makes you who you are? Or better yet, what are you? Your name and appearance constitute the “who,” of who you are; in the same way, religion, culture and beliefs constitute the what. Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden was heavily based on the relationship between Xavier Bird and Elijah Whiskeyjack. It illustrates how their original cultural identity changes throughout the novel and shapes their personal identity to become something monstrous. Xavier becomes the person he hated Elijah for and loses his most precious morals, while Elijah loses all his culture and transforms into the type of being who hurt him as a child. Elijah's identity is shaped through the context of a battlefield, not only during wartime but also within residential schools. He learns to adapt to the new environment in order to survive, while Xavier's was formed in a family environment. The differences between the two boys ultimately help shape their similarities. The three main key factors that differentiate Elijah and Xavier's identities are their respect for Oji-Cree culture, their respect and love for other human beings, and their overall personality traits. Ultimately, it is the culture of war that has the greatest effect on their personal identity and transforms Xavier into the monster he so desperately did not want to become. Raised in an Oji-Cree family by Niska, a healer of Oji-Cree descent. , Xavier had an abundance of indigenous culture in his lifestyle, he speaks almost purely the Cree language and knows very little English; just enough to be able to communicate with the other soldiers, which is very little; the white soldiers only accept Elijah. Xavier'...... middle of paper ......d, although addicted to morphine, he has much more of a sense of place and who he is. He can at least connect his war experiences to his current life, with Niska. Elijah clearly tried to assimilate too much into white culture, which caused his craziness and generally negative behavior due to pressure. The way he reacts to situations during the war shows that he reacts to pressures in an intense way, and especially in a way that white people will approve of, even praise. /www.studymode.com/essays/Three-Day-Road-455278.htmlhttp://troisdayroadlitjgattoni.edublogs.org/theme-analysis/http://www.nipissingu.ca/departments/student-development-and-services /academic-skills/resources/Pages/Criminal-Justice-Essay.aspxhttps://blog.uvm.edu/pwmartin-180/2009/10/06/trois-jours-road-blog-prompt/ *****