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When the Legends Die Book Review
While Hal Borland was writing When the Legends Die, he incorporated not only a perceivable plot but he also gives an account of history. In this non fiction account of a boy torn between two worlds Tom Black Bull has to decide whether to follow tradition or to move forward to the new world. After Tom’s father is killed his mother and him seek refuge in the wilderness. Then, after his mother has died he has to decide what to do and where to go. Under the guidance of Blue Elk and the guileful Red, Tom has many unusual experiences, obstacles to overcome, fears to conquer, and truths to discover.
The novel acknowledges the fact that every person has to discover an identity and the peace that comes with that. His identity is his heritage, how he was raised. The background of most Native American traditions is in their religion. Spirituality is at the base of what everything Tom does and goes through in the novel. It shows that background and tradition come before reform of beliefs and life. Tom Black Bull has to realize that participating in rodeos and collecting money isn’t what he was called to do. He was called to a Ute life and follow in the footsteps of his father, mother, and native people. This story shows a young man trying to find his way in life and his inner self. Hal Borland uses Tom as an example for each of us to follow. He wants us to be the best we can without having to go on that identity roller coaster like Tom did. Hlabse 2
On a scale, I feel that Hal Borland’s When the Legends Die was balanced with some strong aspects that made the reader feel like he was actually experiencing what was going around him, and he also painted a transparent picture of Tom Black Bull in my head. It seemed that Borland couldn’t portray the environment around Tom Black Bull very well, but he did portray the main character well. One could see the transformation from Thomas Black Bull, to Tom Black, and back to Thomas Black Bull throughout Borland’s novel. This metamorphosis is central to the theme of the story, the pursuit of one’s identity, and is presented well. Details of Tom’s struggle, including his initial isolation in the mountains, his attempts at school and rodeo, and in the end his presumed return to the reservation, weave an interesting look at one man’s inner struggle. In the places where Borland strays from the central idea, the departure is not detrimental to character development. For example, the encounter [next page]