The Searcher in Skin of a Lion - Essay Example

The Searcher in Skin of a Lion The field of literature is one that stretches through many perspectives and the amount of work put in by the professionals in this field is rather appealing. The Skin of a Lion is one acclaimed novel written in the 20th century that extends to show various norms in society. Renowned Canadian author, Michael Ondaatje, wrote the book and the major concept that the book portrays is the living conditions of immigrants in Toronto and the various difficult times that they had to go through. He plots the story in an expository manner showing the advancements that took place in the area of migration and brings out the characters in a clear manner. The main character in the novel is one Patrick Lewis and it extends to reveal his fate and his role in the development of a concise plot. Patrick gains recognition as a searcher in the novel and thus it is important to identify the essence of this role. In understanding the role of Patrick in the novel, it is important to appreciate the background from which he grew up to become the strong young man that he was as his role as a searcher not only began later in life but was a dormant characteristic that was not clearly revealed prior to his independence. This is clearly revealed from the fact that Patrick used to live with his father alone in a small town in Ontario (Ondaatje 47). The economic and social conditions in that area were very low as it was the first phase of the 20th century. Patrick witnessed the few developments that people had at the time and wished that he could live in a place with much better conditions. He wished for a better lifestyle after witnessing the amount of hard work that he saw his father putting and the little income that he got. Deep inside, Patrick had the searcher attitude, this is witnessed from the manner in which he consistently asked his father to move, and they go to a better place with better economic conditions. The attitude developed in this aspect showed the symbolic significance of change from him. He was tired of always seeing his mother come at home late in the evening exhausted from his daily job of a dynamiter. This job description involved the crushing and explosion of huge stones to smaller ones in an effort to produce smaller bricks for application in building and involved the construction of bridges. The tedious activity had very many risks that included injuries from the exploding stones. Change was one of the major needs that people in the society required. The government did not prove any significant in the implementation of this because the amount of corruption was rather alarming (Ahrens 26). However, the people did not have the financial power or the unity to make the necessary change that they required. Patrick deeply believed that by uniting people, nothing was too large to accomplish. Patrick in his role as a searcher looked for job opportunities that he could get into in an effort to get a better career and thus assist his father in the payment of the vast amount of bills that they had. However, his efforts to search for a job in order to generate income were rather fruitless from the high amount of corruption that only ensured a select few number of people to obtain valuable jobs in society. After this, he had no option but to enter into the job description that he much loathed. In his beginning years, he had a lot of trouble adapting but from his father’s training, he was able to develop the required traits for professionalism. Later, on, his father died while on the job and this was occasion deeply traumatized the young Patrick. He went on for many days wondering why he had to lose his father but could not achieve any convincing answer. After this, he made a personal decision of quitting the job description that had led to him losing the father and decided to engage in the search of a more professional and less tedious job (Ondaatje 83). Patrick gains the idea of moving to a different town in search of renowned billionaire Ambrose Small. His basis for setting off on this search was that he had received credible information stating that the merchant was still alive despite the widespread notion that he had died. However, ignoring all the pessimism, he set off on the search and the journey was one aspect that was symbolic for determination to prosper. Patrick moved along the way looking for as much information that he could gather about the vanished tycoon. His search clearly influenced by the acknowledgement of his father’s death of which encouraged him not to head back to the construction site. Patrick hoped that in the search he would meet the tycoon and gain a job opportunity. His determination was clearly symbolized in the search at different times. This was from the point at which he arrived in the town and asked for directions of where he would find the vanished tycoon. Many people just laughed at him and did not assist him in any way but despite this, he was able to garner the required courage to move on with his journey (Steven 55). His determination was impressive from the fact that other people could have given up upon all the criticism showed towards him and all the past stories that he had heard of the tycoon having gone completely missing. However, he went on with his search and was a great manifestation of his great appeal to succeed. Ideas got from his search do not lead him directly to the person he is interested in but rather he ends up meeting Clara Dickens. Clara gains recognition as Ambrose’s mistress. At first, Patrick tries convincing Clara to lead to her to where Ambrose was but the mistress was rather protective and showed signs of fear. Patrick did not understand what the problem was and as much as he tried asking, he did not receive any credible response. It was after a strenuous period of relentless begging that he was able to convince her to open up. Clara explained that Ambrose was hiding in a place that he did not want people knowing and thus he could not gain access to him (Criglington 113). Patrick got rather disappointed by the result and felt depressed. It was at this point that Clara tried to comfort him and unknown and not foreseen to the both of them, they had already fallen in love. Due to an early childhood that did not have a female figure in it, Patrick was rather confused about his feelings and did not know what to do. In deeper perspective, the search symbolized enlightment for Patrick, because he recognized a certain emotional side that he did not bear knowledge. Another symbolic significance portrayed by Patrick’s search is that of commitment. Clara was Patrick’s first love and he was rather very concerned about whether he had the ability to please her. Patrick knew that he was poor and had gone to the city in search of money or an employment opportunity and he feared whether upon going back to his hometown he would have the ability to maintain his commitment to Clara. This worry was not only one-sided but he still feared that Clara would end up getting back with Ambrose entirely (Ondaatje 167). Patrick knew that Ambrose did not treat Clara properly and searched for means through which he would help Clara get out of Small’s life. His determination was portrayed when Patrick tried to look for employment opportunities in different towns all in an effort to earn money that would assist him and Clara ran away. This commitment was described as rather deep from the manner in which Clara, a woman who had everything that she wanted being the mistress of a tycoon, fell in love with a mere pauper from a small town that had lived his early years constructing bridges. This theme of commitment could not have expressed itself in the manner that it did had Patrick stayed in his hometown. This is because his role as a searcher led him to the town where he was able to meet and fall in love with Clara. This theme develops rather concisely in the book in the manner Patrick finds it hard to concentrate in his efforts of meeting Ambrose whom he thought would assist him in getting money for a job (Simmons 699). Other than this, he develops a notion of rivalry for the man as he found him unappealing due to their mutual want of Clara. Patrick knew the amount of troubles that Clara was going through dwelling with Ambrose who did not care about her but only used her as a sex tool. This father motivated Patrick to take action that he thought would assist him get Clara away from Ambrose. This is by devising a clear escape plan so that they could live together. Patrick wanted to commit fully to Clara but she was afraid because of her fear of Ambrose. Patrick is also a symbol for betrayal in society from his search. His initial search for money and a good employment somehow led to him being entangled in love. His search changed from that of money to that of true love. However, the person that he though loved him betrayed him after she left him. Clara and Patrick had developed feelings for each other and it was clear that Clara loved Patrick in the same dimension as which Patrick loved her. However, the relationship between the two could not exist from the fact that Clara had already committed herself to Ambrose as she was his mistress. However, despite this, Patrick was determined to get Clara away from Ambrose. Due to the high amount of fear that Clara bore for Ambrose, she refused to run away with Patrick lying that she was still in love with Ambrose. She portrays her care for Patrick however by warning him not to attempt to follow her as she goes back to Ambrose because she knows that Ambrose may harm him. Despite of this portrayed aspect of care, Clara is seen to have abandoned Patrick at a time that he was emotionally weak. It is important that Patrick set out on this search as his linking up with Clara and the eventual fall out of their love clearly symbolized betrayal in society (Spinks 117). Patrick’s search also symbolizes heartbreaks. Patrick initially set out on the search for money and a career in an effort to get away from the job description that had his father killed. However, along his way he came across a feeling that could only get the description of love towards a certain woman. This loved blossomed each time that they were together and increasingly his search became less of a priority. However, Clara who betrayed him spontaneously ended this love and informal relationship. This betrayal clearly portrays the notion of heartbreak from the manner through which Patrick suffered in an effort to move on past the relationship. However, it was very hard for him from the fact that he had truly loved this girl. Were it not for his ‘searching’ mindset that drove him from his hometown, he could not have got to meet this woman, Clara that he fell in love with. This role of a searcher was important as it assisted in symbolizing heartbreaks in society. Patrick’s role as a searcher is also symbolic for the theme of fate. In the plot of the story, Patrick is heartbroken by Clara after she leaves him to go back and live with Ambrose. This heartbreak is an aspect that greatly hurts him and he stays in a remorse condition for around two years. It is at the second year that Patrick was still on the search for a substantial source of income. This was in a bid to get proper employment. Just when he was about to give up on ever hooking up with Clara again, he gets in touch with one of her friends, Alice (Saris 183). This is a great twist of fate from the fact that Alice shows a great sense of tenderness towards Patrick and even explains how much mercy she felt for him upon Clara taking the course of action that she did. Alice told Patrick that there was a great possibility that Clara’s mother knew where Clara might be and that she would assist him in any way possible to get to her. The search that Patrick had set off on initially and after the loss of the love of his life still brought some positive aspect from the fact that Alice was willing to assist him. This is a clear symbolism of fate brought about by his search in that he was meant to be with Clara despite all the underlying conditions that seemed to keep them apart. Patrick’s role as a searcher continues at the point where he decides to continue with the search for Clara even to the mother’s house. This aspect of a searcher in his life is one that describes his role of a victim of love and assists in symbolizing the deep and aspiring emotional side of the story. Upon going to the residence at which her mother lives, she does not give him complete information on the location at which her daughter is located. Rather than this, she only gives her clues that she recognizes may come of vital assistance to him in his search for Clara. The mother only tells him on the location at which the daughter is which is a small village but does not give her the specific address. It is with deep aspiration that Patrick sets off to the village with the major goal of finding and rescuing his love. Another symbolic significance that Patrick’s searcher role portrays in the story is rivalry. This is portrayed from the fact that he continues his search for Clara due to his undying love and eventually finds her living in the small town that her mother had advised. Upon getting to the town, he attempts direct contact with Clara but the security detail that Ambrose has on her does not give him permission. It is after this that Ambrose comes to learn of the existence of Patrick in his neighborhood and his mission (Ondaatje 222). This leads to the development of a great deal of rivalry between Patrick and Ambrose. The rivalry is so great that Ambrose threatens calling the authorities to chase Patrick out of the town if he does not stop stalking Clara. Patrick responds by stating that he and Clara had a connection and that he would not leave unless she went with him back to his hometown where he stated that she would have a proper and admirable life away from the harsh conditions Ambrose offered her (Ondaatje 211). . The amount of rivalry between the two escalated at this point and this is expressed from the manner in which Ambrose attempts to ruthlessly murder Patrick by setting him on fire. He pulls this stunt by dropping a kerosene bomb with the hope of eliminating him from Clara’s life. Ambrose’s’ rage gets further expressed by the manner in which he goes to the extent of throwing a Molotov cocktail on Patrick. The searching aspect and the deep felt love that Clara bears for Patrick is expressed in the manner through which she goes to tend to Patrick’s wounds after the attempts that Ambrose had on his life. Clara tries her best in trying to explain the conditions that she is living in with Ambrose but Patrick does not seem to understand anything that she states due to his undying love. Patrick for the second time tries his best to convince her to run away with him and this expresses the amount of determination that he has again. Once more, Clara betrays Patrick by telling him that there was no way in which the two of them could ever have a proper relationship with Ambrose around. Further love for the searcher is identified from the fact that she makes love to him and goes back to Ambrose due to fear (Denzin 271) The symbolic significance of Patrick becoming a searcher extends to more than one factor and this is a point that expresses him in a rather profound manner. His search leads him to identifying many of life’s conditions from internal emotions to exterior circumstances. His role is very vital in the development of a full plot for the story and in the identification of various contemporary societal issues. Work cited Ahrens, Ru?diger. Symbolism: An International Annual of Critical Aesthetics. New York: AMS Press, 2007. Print. Boehmer, Elleke. Colonial and Postcolonial Literature: Migrant Metaphors. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print. Callero, Peter L. The Myth of Individualism: How Social Forces Shape Our Lives. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009. Print. Criglington, Meredith. The City as a Site of Counter-Memory in Anne Michael's "Fugitive Pieces" and Michael Ondaatje's "In the Skin of a Lion." . Essays on Canadian Writing, 81, 129-151. 2006. Denzin, Norman K. Studies in Symbolic Interaction. Bingley: Emerald, 2010. Print. Hillger, Annick. Not Needing All the Words: Michael Ondaatje's Literature of Silence. 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