"In the Skin of a Lion"

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Michael Ondaatje's hero, Patrick Lewis, in "In the Skin of a Lion". The paper relates that the novel is made up of several stories whose characters overlap, creating a fascinating account of the ordinary Toronto life. The paper looks at how Ondaatje describes Toronto in the 1920s and early 1930s through the eyes of working class people who worked very hard, yet were unable to afford basics that are taken for granted today.

From the Paper:

"When he is older, Patrick Lewis reflects on his life and notes that is no longer "a single story but part of a mural... a fitting together of accomplices." (1987:145) Alice Gull explained to him at one point, that it was time for Patrick to tell his own story, even though she nor her friend, Clara Dickens, the other important female character, did not reveal anything about their own pasts, leaving Patrick Lewis and the reader to guess, for the most part. (1987:244) The novel's title borrows a metaphor that has two meanings, in the human being having a source of power, or using the skin of a lion as a disguise, meaning all people can describe themselves in detail and give away very little, if at all. There is power in being anonymous, in a way, and there is also obvious stature if one does not explain about oneself, leaving others to wonder or guess. It is found in the epic story of Gilgamesh as Enkidu, the innocent man is dying and rages against the end. His friend, Gilgamesh, who is half god, will grieve by taking on the skin of a lion, and walking from place to place. The reader learns of Patrick Lewis, the son of a paid farm hand in Depot Creek, Ontario, who learns the trade of setting dynamite from his father. He reaches Toronto about 1923, aged 21, and supports himself as a construction labourer among many immigrants from Europe or elsewhere in Europe."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ondaatje, Michael. (1987). In the Skin of a Lion. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart.

More papers on "In the Skin of a Lion":

• Book Review # 131585 : "In the Skin of a Lion" - A Review"
• Analytical Essay # 68263 : "In the Skin of a Lion" "
• Analytical Essay # 44468 : "Great Expectations" and "In the Skin of a Lion"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: