I Heard the Owl Call My Name: One Man’s Discovery
Uploaded by lmmu on May 23, 2007
Margaret Craven’s novel, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, presents the story of Mark Brian, who is sent to the secluded Kingcome Village in British Columbia. After being told that Mark has only two years to live, the Bishop sends him to this remote Kwakiutl tribe so he can learn “enough of the meaning of life to be ready to die” (144). Through his discovery of the meaning of existence, the ordinand realizes many eternal truths of dignity, love, courage, and life.
One of the major truths Mark learns about is dignity. Before setting foot on the land of Kingcome, Mark learns a big truth about it which is spoken by the Bishop. By relating pride for oneself and pride for one’s land, Mark’s purpose is fully understood. “The Indian knows his village and feels for his village as no white man for his country, his town, or even for his own bit of land” (19). It is clear that one’s feeling towards his or herself is shown through his or her feeling of the land, thus; these people possess a high dignity and pride for themselves. Another aspect of the Kwakiutl dignity demonstrates itself every time the RCMP officer visits. One day, during the óolachon (candlefish) fishing, an officer plans to photograph the event. He knows it is sacred and essential to their culture, but does not care. The Indians, being an upright and dignified people, permit this cultural abomination and say nothing. Eventually, as the RCMP officer plans to leave, they help him in his boat and happen to drop his camera in the river (78-79). They uphold their honor, pride, and dignity, though, by not being callous and wickedly vengeful, no matter what the officer deserves. Mark enjoys this story and recognizes the true definition of dignity: being honorable at all times.
Another truth Mark comes to comprehend better is love. There are two loves written about in this novel. The first is love for man, or rather, community. With such a harsh climate and so much work to be accomplished, there stands no fend-for-oneself attitude. All survive or all die. “To keep fed, to keep warm, to keep alive. No woman said, ‘I am sorry. I have only enough fuel for my own family,’ and no man...