Three Day Road

Xavier mentions that men from various nations are involved in the war effort, including the Americans and Burmese. Yet Elijah and Xavier are markedly different. What is the significance of Xavier and Elijah being Cree Indians? How does their identity affect their actions during war? How are they perceived by their fellow soldiers?

Discuss the similarities and differences between Native American and Western methods of healing. How does Niska try to cure Xavier of his depression and morphine addiction? What is the result, and what might this result suggest about the different approaches to healing?

Niska inherits her father’s ability to see visions. How are her visions different than those of her father’s? Describe what happens when Niska has visions, and how does she bring on visions when needed? Provide textual examples.

At one point in the novel, Elijah says that he acts the way he does because of the crazy environment he is placed in, and because of what he is forced to do. What does the novel have to say about the toll of war on the individual, both physically and spiritually? Provide examples with reference to several characters.

What role do stories play within the novel? Using both Xavier and Niska as points of reference, how are stories used, both narratively speaking and by the characters themselves?

Windigos are mentioned several times in the novel. Explain the concept, providing examples from the novel. What are Niska and Xavier’s roles regarding windigos? How are they relevant to war and what men do?

The number three is central to the narrative, at least according to Xavier. Explain Xavier’s concept of three as a necessary number, providing examples from the book. Can you see other connections in the novel to the number?

Compare the similarities and differences between the homeguard Indians and the bush Indians, providing examples from the text. How do they view one another? Why are there differences?