In the Skin of a Lion

Canada has been credited by the United Nations for being the most multicultural nation for over forty five years. People have been migrating from all over the world to “the New World” due to economic struggles, wartime affairs or simply a chance for a new beginning. Various works of literature and media representations have been made to retell, relate and reflect upon the difficult journeys made by these immigrants. The novel, In the Skin of A Lion, by Canadian immigrant and author Michael Ondaatje, has been noted to be, “...the best story of the Macedonian voice in the building of Toronto’s Waterworks.” (Brouhl, 159. SIC) Ondaatje has successfully dramatized the immigrant experience that defines Canada’s multicultural history, particularly in Toronto, as seen not only through the storyline of Patrick Lewis, the heroic endeavors and traditional lifestyle by Nicholas Temelcoff, but also, through the life of Alice Gull.

“Michael Ondaatje’s use of historically accurate events are considered by many of us writers, second to none” (David, 1), appraising In the Skin of a Lion, to be one of the best novels in terms of it’s textual credibility. The novel unfolds with the protagonist, Patrick Lewis who was a young boy that lived with his father on a farm, in Macedonia. After suffering from economic hardships, the Lewis family immigrated to Abashed, Ontario in 1919, hoping for a fresh start to life. Unfortunately, Mrs. Lewis died on the voyage over, and his dad became inclined to work for a logging company, as an explosives operator, blowing log jams out of rivers throughout the valleys of Alberta. After the passing of Mr. Lewis, Patrick decided to take a train along with several other immigrants with, “no specific course for his life and just began to wander in Toronto, among the city's working class like a European exploring the Amazon jungle.”(David, 1) Going along with the �norm’ of the time, Patrick’s new destination was a result of his emotional instability which was due his father’s inability to act as a responsible, caring and loving parent. This is proven when it is said that, “It is important to remember that his father imparted no ideas or values to Patrick other than a strong work ethic so he would be eager to embrace other ideas, identities and values. Hazen Lewis did not teach his son anything, no legend, no base of theory and most importantly, no love. (Ondaatje, 39) To make matters worse, his arrival in Toronto was greeted by the infamous Great Depression. Patrick then immersed himself in several different job areas just to make enough money to survive. The loss of loved ones, living without a job and constantly battling the hardship of barely having enough money to “makes ends meat” - was a common reality that many Canadian immigrants had to face. This parallel’s the novel when Patrick said, “I endeavored into various trades such as working for a bridge building company, a leather tannery and the city. It doesn’t seem unusual, seeing as how both my neighbours have done the same. Now it makes sense as to why so many people are thieve’s. Without money, your nothing in this world.” (Ondaatje, 135) As Patrick’s life progressed, he went through several other hardships that were considered to be a true part of Canada’s history. Many of these events were considered to be macro hardships, in comparison to his actual experiences on the job site which were considered micro hardships. Many workers such as Niko, Patrick’s long time friend, lost his life on a job site. Not only were deaths of Canadian immigrants common, but they were also rising extremely fast due to lack of safety protocol and the simple fact that the �upper class’ did not care about the �working class’ as long as they got the job completed. This is exemplified during a conversation between Patrick and the millionaire Harris who was the architect and designer of the bridge (that many of Patrick’s friends worked and died on), ...think about those who built the intake tunnels. Do you know how many of us died in there? This leads to Harris’ reply, there was no record kept. The workers are never accepted or acknowledged. (Ondaatje, 155) Although Patrick understood why it happened it was an extremely mind boggling matter for him, And all of his life Patrick had been oblivious to it, a searcher gazing into the darkness of his own country…never comprehending why his life meant nothing compared to the life of a man with money... (Bernard, 97).Although Patrick’s tale can be considered fictitious and an over exaggeration of Canadian history, the working class was always underpaid, never fully acknowledged and accredited for what they did or the efforts they made and the lives they lost. Through Patrick’s expirience, it is evident