Smoke Signals

What role does forgiveness play?


Had trouble with this assignment maybe writers block. Essay's where you have to analyze information are harder for me so as much feedback as possible would help. Thank you so much for your time.

Brian Friedfel

English

Professor Servias

April 20, 2011

Forgiveness in Smoke Signals

            In the film Smoke Signals the theme of forgiveness has a role throughout it. The majority of relationships whether they were blood related or just friends required different levels of forgiveness in order for the film to reach resolution. Forgiveness played a huge role in Smoke Signals so the plot could have more substance and reach the audience and teach that to forgive and forget is the right thing to do.

            The first relationship I will look at is between Victor and Thomas. During the film Victor shows little positive emotion especially towards Thomas but he continues to live with his heart on his sleeve and a good attitude which means he was constantly forgiving Victor because he loved him like a brother and looked up to him. At one point Victor beat up Thomas because he crossed the line when he spoke about Victor’s father abandoning his family but Thomas almost instantly forgave him or so it seemed. At the end of the film it was Victor’s turn to forgive Thomas because that night the fire had happened Thomas was the one saved by Arnold (Victor’s dad) and Victor was always jealous and mad. He realized Arnold was like both of their father because Arnold was responsible for the fire he forgave Thomas by giving him some of his dads ashes which is a very special point of forgiveness.

            Another important part of the movie that showed a great deal of forgiveness was when Victor had to forgive his father which was very hard for him. He did this by traveling to his father’s trailer to go through his belongings and see where he was living to get some closure. His father abandoned him and his mother when he was a young boy so to let go and forgive his father he had to let the resentment and hate leave his heart. This process was aided and expedited by traveling with Thomas which was somewhat of a little struggle and tuff times can create good character in someone or open their eyes because of the experience. Forgiving his father was the peak of forgiveness in Smoke signals making the moral of the film forgiving is the correct path.

            One other aspect of forgiveness that popped up was that Victor’s mother had to forgive as well. She had to forgive Arnold for leaving them behind and she also had to forgive Victor for being angry young boy who was acting out but was sad inside so mother forgave him.

            I believe forgiveness was one of the main roles of the film. If one cannot or refuses to forgive it lays heavy on the heart and can make you bitter and angry. You can lash out on loved ones and even become depressed which is how Victor’s character was portrayed. This film was about Victor growing up and learning to forgive close people in his life in physical and spirit form. The plot came to a final forgiving moment when he gave Thomas some of the Ashes this showed that Victor had learned to forgive and in the process had become a man by learning on his own and not being taught by his dad. There were other themes in Smoke Signals but forgiveness and growth was the most prevalent.