“The Prospectors Trail” is a short story that takes place in a forest up in the Yukon. A man named Norman and his wife Jennifer moved up there so Norman could attempt to pursue his dream of opening an interpretive centre. They are camping out with an old prospector named Roy, and his wife Elsie. Jennifer is not enjoying the northern experience, so the next morning she goes into town to look for work, while Roy hesitantly takes Norman down his prospecting trail. Norman becomes discouraged with his dream and almost ends up quitting the whole idea. Roy then decides to truly help him and takes him to the dump, where they find objects that are of use to them. Norman is shocked to find out that going to the dump was what Roy meant by prospecting, but discovers it is a good idea and the two of them decide to go into business together. When Jennifer returns to camp, Norman tells her about the business potential the dump has. Jennifer, very disappointed, leaves Norman without a word the next day.
I found it interesting how Norman expected to be prospecting out in the woods, when all along Roy just prospected at the dump, finding objects that to some would just be ’garbage’ but to others could be so much more. It also mentions in the story that Norman suffers with insomnia, and it surprised me when at the end of the story, Normans wife had left him, took the van with her, yet that night he slept soundly for the first time in months. Meaning his insomnia was probably cause by stress from his wife. What I didn’t understand, was the relationship between Elsie and Roy. “We’re out of peanuts,“ Roy shouted, “So go get some more. And get some beer while your at it,“ was Elsie’s reply, and that was pretty much the only conversation they had during the whole story if you could call it that. Elsie seemed very lazy and rude, a person that didn’t suit Roy's northern lifestyle.
During the beginning of the story, Jennifer is very unhappy with the way they’re living and snaps, “Six weeks, unless I catch you wearing a red plain flannel shirt, in which case I’ll leave you on the spot,” to Norman. At the end of the story, when Jennifer arrives back at the camp, Norman is wearing a red plaid that he found at the dump. I liked how the author used the red plaid to symbolize Normans independence and determination towards his dream, he wasn’t going to let Jennifer control his life anymore. I sensed that the significance of this story, is to be in control of your own life, and you can decide how you want live it. Norman knew that his business with Roy would very likely end to his relationship with Jennifer, but he couldn’t let that stop him. You have to realize what is most important in your life, and follow your dreams even if it means leaving someone, or something else that stands in the way.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
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Fantastic entry, Della. Yes, it is clear that Norman is better off without Jennifer in his life. It's not only his sleeping that improves. His clumsiness is gone, he feels more confident.... Hmm. We don't really learn much about Roy, and even less about Elsie. Roy makes a comment during the story that leads me to believe that it is Elsie who wanted the fancy trailer, not him. Still, they seem to tolerate each other. Elsie is still with him, living in "the wilderness". Roy is able to pursue his dream. Mark: ten out of ten.
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