Thomas King believes borders are merely a figment of another’s imagination. The border between Canada, America has been long considered a soft border. It is a mental feature that is more important than a physical one. The border does not only provide access to goods and services, but also allows people to become citizens. Thomas King explores how being associated in a particular area can impact each character’s senses about identity.
Thomas King insists that Thomas King is encouraged by his mother’s portrayal, which he says encourages him to show the same pride in who he is. According to the narrator, “Pride can be a good thing to possess, you know.” Laetitia was proud, as was my mother (King 271). The mother insists on convincing border guards that she is from “Blackfoot”. Blackfoot is a nation independent of the mother, so she proudly declares that she is a citizen. The refusal of his mother to give him citizenship seems to be almost irritating for the son. The narration says that it would have been much easier for my mother to just say ‘Canadian’ and be done with it. However, she was clearly not going to do this. The son, after witnessing the mother’s ongoing struggle for her identity, changes his perspective to be more supportive and respectful towards his mother’s decision. The narrator says that he saw his mother act proudly and decided to share in her pride. The son is encouraged to be proud of his roots by watching his mother refuse to conform. The narrator describes that the name tag of the manager featured a tiny American flag and a small Canadian side (King 27,1). Mel, Mel, the store manager and Mel, her mother, have different identities. Mel is proud to be a Blackfoot native while Mel does not identify as one nation and wears flags of both countries. The mother claims she is not a Canadian citizen or American. Blackfoot is her home and the only country she wants to be associated with. Mel, being in the middle of the border, lacks the same pride her mother has. Mel is unable relate to his mother’s story at the beginning and acts rudely toward her. Mel, the narrator says, “told” us that we needed to get something or leave. Mel’s confused sense of identity is caused by being placed at the border of Canada and America, making it difficult to pride himself on one nation.
Thomas King describes how Laetitia’s new identity is created by moving to another place. The narrator states that Laetitia hadn’t left her home without my mother blessing. But, as time went by, my mother began to feel proud that Laetitia was able to do all this independently. (King 269). Laetitia shares the same pride as her mother, but they each identify with a different place. Laetitia doesn’t know her Blackfoot identity. She justifies her decision of leaving the reserve by claiming her father is “American.” Laetitia’s identity changes as she moves to a new location. Laetitia is an American-speaking American because she lives in America. Laetitia says that her mother once told her, “You can still look at the mountain from there,’ she said in Blackfoot. Laetitia spoke English to Laetitia, and she said that Salt Lake had lots of mountains. Laetitia responds in English to the mother’s Blackfoot conversation. The difference in pride between the two individuals is evident in Laetitia’s use of Blackfoot’s Native language and American English.
Thomas King’s “Borders,” in its conclusion, shows how one feels connected and proud to the area they identify themselves with. Borders are really just an illusion. They mostly influence people’s inner thoughts and identities, rather than regulating customs and goods.
