“We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understanding and our hearts”(William Hazlett). In society, nature is often overlooked because of the fact that many people do not understand its power. It is often seen as just a scenery or a resource when it is truthfully much more. This perspective on nature is displayed throughout the novel Halfway Man written by Wayland Drew. In a small northern village called Neyashing, an aboriginal community struggles to save their way of life against commercial development. Throughout this, Travis Nikigwun who is one of the citizens, is looked at as a leader and experiences the pressure of this. As we see him face the obstacles that come his way, it is visible that nature is a strong source for guidance …show more content…
Evidentially, When Travis is mentally put through the fear of losing Neyashing to new developments, he takes his own advice. He escapes into the wilderness “until there was no hatred and no anger anymore.”(103) Facing the risk of losing all of the things that matter to Travis, he has to stay sane and clear minded for the sake of Neyashing and it’s people. Travis has such a close relationship with nature that the thought of that connection being broken is unbearable. He is looked upon as a leader in Neyashing by the people and must stay a good role model when confronted with difficulty. In addition, it is visible that nature plays a big part in the mental state of the community as a whole and is encouraged to many people that Travis meets. With this intention, he uses that method with Michael Gardner to change his perspective on Neyashing. When Gardner (being the president of Aspen Corporation), comes to “McDonnell's Depot” with an unset mind, Travis sees it as an opportunity to save his neighbourhood. He takes him into the wilderness to clear his mind and reminds him of the importance of nature in life. Because of his understanding, he receives hope and reassurance from the wildlife and saves Neyashing. Following peoples journeys throughout Halfway Man, the power of nature is visible at …show more content…
Living with nature his whole life, Travis has become one with the wild. When he is asked how he knows he belongs in Neyashing he says “It’s because I can’t tell the difference between me and this lake, the moon. It’s because I don’t know where I end and the wilderness begins”(164). Whenever someone spends a long duration of time with something or someone, they start to feel apart of each other. The natural world is a major part of Travis and Travis is a major part of the natural world. Travis embraces the wilderness around him well it provides him with food, shelter, peace and reassurance in life. Travis’s understanding of this concept is shared with his wife Jenny when they go on their first canoe trip together. He takes her into the wilderness to cleanse her thoughts and put her into the same mindset as him. Being very passionate about many different causes in the world, Jenny sometimes is only exposed to negative point of views. She is in need of this trip to refresh her with a positive outlook on Earth and reminder of where she belongs. It is discovered that Jenny’s assiduous and busy mind is recovered throughout the trip when Travis