Tom King And Eli example essay topic

590 words
Survival and Adaptation Tom King and his family are not wealthy. In order for them to survive Tom had to box. Tom King was very old to be boxing. He had to change his way of fighting to even have a remote chance of wining.

In Tracks by Louise Erdrich Eli and Nanapush had to learn to live with each other to survive. Nevertheless Tom King and Eli both did what they had to do too survive. They are good examples of strength and determination. Tom King was not a rich man but a poor one. Jack London writes that Tom had to send his children to bed so that they might forget about dinner. This portrays what kind of life Tom and his family live in. they live life day by day, struggling to eat and pay debts.

All morning Tom had a craving for a piece of steak. But the butcher wouldn't give him one because he didn't have any credit. It's ironic how he used to feed his dog pieces of steak but now he can't even give himself one. Eventhough Tom was a strong man on the outside the thought of how his family lives must have ripped him apart inside. The one thing he wanted, a piece of steak proved to be a critical factor in the outcome of his match. Tom king is beginning to notice the signs of fighting.

Jack London illustrates Tom Kings face as a 'beast, with lion like eyes. ' ; This description portrays Tom as a brutal man who looks like a killer. But on the contrary he's just a normal man who suffered the consequences of his profession. In the ring Tom King is slow and bulky. He does this to conserve his energy. This demonstrates character development.

When Tom was younger he use to be just like S andel. Rushing into everything, not using his head. But now he has to slow down. His body isn't as strong as it use to be. It's the only way he would be able to survive. Eli and Nanapush are both in need of each other.

Louise Erdrich describes Eli as he shows up at Nanapush's door as 'open and lifeless. ' ; This description illustrates the situation he's in. He has no food or hope. Nanapush then offers Eli a bowl of soup but he refuses it because the soup is only an old gopher. These two lines from Tracks by Louise Erdrich indicate what the problem is from the beginning. Nanapush is an old man who really can't hunt and Eli has no place to stay, so they help each other out; Eli goes hunting and Nanapush gives him a place to stay.

In the time they spend together they form a bond. This is ironic because from the start they really didn't like each other. This shows what people will go through to survive. A Piece of Steak and Tracks are both excellent depictions about survival and adaptation. A Piece of Steak paints a vivid picture of what Tom King goes through in his life.

How one thing (a piece of steak) can change the outcome of the story. Both stories illustrate how the characters develop and change over time. How they become stronger and wiser.