Joseph Boyden uses many tactics to strengthen plot in the novel, "Three Day Road." By using foreshadow techniques as well as imagery, the story becomes increasingly interesting with each use. The war becomes so vivid with the deadly bombs as well as the dreadful trenches. It all becomes so realistic. Suspense is also continuously builder up with hints of Elijah's downfall as well as the deaths of those fallen to the windigo hunter. As well, the author's ominous ending adds a nice touch where it allows the reader to interpret it either way, whether Xavier lived or died. On the death argument, three day road symbolizes the road to death and at the end of the book, that three day journey ends. However, there is no direct context that Xavier does end up dying so it can be interpreted either way.
I feel as if ambiguous endings are what authors use to avoid writing an actual tangible ending. It is their shortcut, and when readers complain they insist that it was "left open for interpretation." I completely disagree, I feel as if stories should have a definite ending. A sense of completion, with no blanks left unanswered.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can't see how it could be ambiguous since it's concerning aboriginal culture and about death and rebirth. The whole novel is about the journey to death. I can't imagine why we would bother reading it if he lived. Why bother? then he wouldn't have reached his journey's end.
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