Wartime Difficulties And Healing From Its Imprint: A Study Of Joseph Boyden’s Novel Three Day Road

Abstract

Joseph Boyden is genetically a Canadian of mixed identity. His articles mostly focus on the lives of the Metis people, who are indigenous to Canada, though he is also a Metis. Boyden is the author of three novels, a novella, a short-story collection, and three non-fictional works. French and Cree Canadians make up the Metis population. The book Three Day Road pays tribute to the creative prowess and tactical dexterity of Native Canadian soldiers who fought in World War I. The physical and psychological harm that soldiers endured during the conflict is also covered in the book. The experiences of Xavier and Niska, two Cree Indians, are used to tell the story. The present study, "Wartime Difficulties and Healing from its Imprint: A Study of Joseph Boyden’s Novel Three Day Road”, focuses on the challenges that Xavier and his aunt Niska in Three Day Road faced during the war in trying to find treatments for his bodily and psychological wounds. Niska heals Xavier and narrates the experiences that support her in improving her psychic abilities. She provides him with answers regarding his bodily and mental injuries through her organisation, or order of healing.