Blog #4: Summer Reading Prompted Writing

"This was a dirty job, as we had to dismantle the tin chimney to move the stove back and forth, and we were both rained down in black soot; but when we were finished I could not imagine a soul would ever find our treasure, for no one would think to look in so remote a spot.The rough estimate of these riches was set at fifteen thousand dollars; my take of this more than tripled my savings, and as we left the musty basement, heading up the stairs and into the light, I felt two things at once: A gladness at this turn of fortune, but also an emptiness that I did not feel more glad; or rather, a fear that my gladness was forced or false. I thought, Perhaps a man is never meant to be truly happy. Perhaps there is no such a thing in our world, after all. As we walked the halls of the hotel the whores were abuzz with the news of Mayfield's head-wounded departure, and the disappearance of the trappers. I spied Charlie's whore, looking only slightly less green than before, and took her to the side, asking where the bookkeeper was. "They ran her up to the doc's."  'Is she all right?'  'I imagine. They're always running her up there' I pressed a hundred dollars into her hand. 'I want you to give this to her when she comes back.' She stared at the money. 'Jesus Christ on a cloud.' 'I will return in two weeks' time. If I find she has not received it, there will be a price to pay, do you understand me?' 'Mister, I was just standing in the hall, here.' I held up a double eagle. 'This is for you.' She dropped the coin into her pocket. Peering down the hall in the direction Charlie had gone she asked, 'I don't suppose your brother'll be leaving me a hundred.' 'No I don't suppose he will.' 'You got all the romantic blood, is that it?' 'Our blood is the same, we just use it differently.' I turned and walked away. A half-dozen steps, and she asked. 'You want to tell me what she did for this?' I stopped and thought. I told her, 'She was pretty, and kind to me.' And the poor whore's face, she just did not know what to think about that. She went back into her room, slammed the door shut, and shrieked two times."  

             In the book The Sister’s Bothers by Patrick Dewitt, the passage that acts as a turning point in the midpoint of the book emphasizes the theme “Darkness vs. Light”. In the quote “Our blood is the same, we just use it differently.” sets an atmosphere of contrast between the two main characters, Eli and Charlie. The passage around the quote helps the reader understand Eli as a real person who sends a sense of intimidation while showing compassion towards people he cares for. This is however expected from Eli because throughout the book he is kind and caring by nature. On the other hand, Charlie acts in an opposite manner which supports the main theme and quote of how they are so close yet completely different. By reading this passage, the reader is sent a clear message that Eli has already chosen a different path than his older brother. This lets the reader comprehend that experience is a small catalyst that has led Eli and Charlie to have beliefs on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, through this difference they share a bond that is hidden in the diction the writer sets in their dialog.

In the book, Eli who plays as a protagonist shows care and kindness towards everyone. This is first shown when Eli talked about feeling bad when he had to use the whip on his horse when he was left no choice. When Eli and Charlie end up going to a clothing store in the middle of the night, Eli tells Charlie that he wants to settle down and have an honest living. This intrigues Charlie, but he dismisses it quickly. When Eli met the lady at the front desk – of the first hotel the brothers stayed at- Eli liked her for how she behaved and was very considerate when she was aggressive at the beginning. Feeling bad for her living environment Eli tips her generously; leaving the money under the bed, so his brother wouldn't see it. Having realized Eli is a big softy Charlie places an ultimatum on Eli to either leave or to finish the job and do whatever he wants to do after.

In addition, Charlie (Eli’s brother) is a protagonist as well however, he shows aggression, bad habits, and vulgarity throughout this book. When the brothers come across a boy surrounded by wagons who aimed a gun at them asking questions, Charlie doesn't hesitate when he grabs the rifle and thwarts the kid on the head. There was no remorse from Charlie when he knocked the kid out with one sweep. This showed the aggressive side of Charlie by letting the reader know that he is not patient. Charlie displays his vulgarity when he is laughing and dancing around (clearly enjoying himself) with the whores at Mayfield’s office while Eli goes out to talk to the lady who is the bookkeeper. Also, throughout the book Charlie get drunk frequently even though his body takes the toll the next day, yet he insists. This exhibits his bad habits reinforcing his character as an unlikable person.