Green Grass Running Water

In the novel Green Grass Running Water, Thomas King uses biblical and historical allusions to help build the plot of the story. As Babo searches for the four Indians with Dr. Hovaugh, she notices a bright star in the sky. The star represents the Star of Bethlehem, which is referred to in the New Testament, with the birth of Jesus Christ. In the distance, at the edge of the horizon, Babo could see a point of light, a star in the morning sky. (235).

On the morning of Lionel Stands Alone’s fortieth birthday, he comes to a revelation, and realizes that he must turn his life around. He begins to plan his future: going back to school and getting a degree; settling down with Alberta; becoming a new man. Lionel bases his new personality around his childhood role model John Wayne, who was a prevalent American actor in the mid-1900s. The actor’s iconic personality is the inspiration for Lionel’s determination to become successful in life.
In Part 3 of the novel, Thought Woman arrives on an island and meets a man named A.A. Gabriel, who tells her that she is going to have a baby. This alludes to the annunciation of Mary, where Thought Woman represents Mary, and A.A. Gabriel is the Archangel Gabriel, who comes to Mary in a dream. This helps build the plot of the novel, because it coincides with the miraculous pregnancy of Alberta.

In Part 4 of the novel, Old Woman comes across Young Man Walking On Water, who claims that he must save a group of men on a boat. He tells Old Woman that she cannot help him because it will go against the Christian rules. His character represents Jesus Christ as a man. This section is included in the novel to portray Jesus as arrogant, which emphasizes King’s dislike for Christian theories. And the first rule is that no one can help me. The second rule is that no one can tell me anything. Third, no one is allowed to be in two places at once. Except me. (350).

Near the end of the novel, we see three cars at the top of the dam on Parliament Lake. There is a Pinto, a Nissan, and a Karmman-Ghia. These three cars represent the ships that Christopher Columbus sailed through the Atlantic Ocean: La Pinta, La Niña, and Santa Maria. The symbolism contributes to the novel, because the breaking of the dam represents a new beginning for Lionel, and for the Blackfoot community. Likewise, the expedition of Christopher Columbus in the Western World created a new beginning for European-American relations.


2)

a.
Eli had to admit that after all the years of arguments and threats and injunctions, he had won very little… Eli and the house would be washed out onto the prairies.
But not now. Not tomorrow.
And in a rather perverse way, Eli had come to enjoy the small pleasures of resistance, knowing that each time Duplessis opened the gates a little too much or turned on the light a little too late, it was because he was there. (260)

This reveals that Eli has a stubborn personality. He knows that he will not be able to win the battle over the construction of the dam, but he still persists, and refuses to leave his mother’s cabin.

b.
“Today,” he shouted at the mirror, “Today things change.” And he whacked himself in the stomach and grabbed his saggy chest for good measure. He stood there naked, glaring into the mirror, pleased with the fire that burned in his eyes. Just above his left nipple, Lionel spotted the mole with the single long hair growing out of it. (240)

This passage shows that Lionel is aware of his inability to fulfill his goals in life, and that he wants to improve on his personality and his career, despite his prior failures in doing so.

c.
“Okay,” said the Lone Ranger. “Whose turn is it now?”
“Well, who went last?” said Ishmael.
“You did.”
“Then it’s Robinson Crusoe’s turn.”
“What about me?” says Coyote. “I’d like a turn.”
“That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” said Hawkeye.
“No,” said Robinson Crusoe. “That sounds like a Coyote idea.”
“Anyway,” said Ishmael, “it’s Robinson Crusoe’s turn.”
“Maybe Coyote can turn on the light,” said Robinson Crusoe.
“Yes,” says Coyote. “I can do that.”
“Okay,” said Hawkeye. “Let’s get going.”
“Watch me,” says Coyote. “Watch me turn on the light.” (230)

This quotation shows how desperate Coyote is to be included in the telling of the story and to be a part of the group. He tries to give his opinion on everything, even though nobody else trusts his thoughts or actions. His character is portrayed much like an over-enthusiastic dog.