Brother by David Chariandy Book Analysis Essay Example

I believe that literature can provide us with basic morality and ethics to some extent. After reading my book club novel, Brother, I noticed that it revolves around the experiences of characters and others. Literature provides us with characters’ experiences which assist the reader in reflecting on their beliefs and values. For example, the developing character in the novel, Francis, has made many unexpected choices. In our book club discussion, Sam observes, “[That] it makes us think about morality from Francis leaving his home to live with his friends, it makes us question his choices and decisions.” I realized that morals and ethics are not something we can check off from a list to show our understanding. It is the reader who is responsible for making their own unique and individualistic reflection. 

Additionally, I connected his quote with the human condition of dealing with conflict and problem-solving. Most human beings solve their problems directly or choose to flee from them. Francis dealt with his issues by fleeing, and Michael realized the role his brother plays in the family, saying: “But [Mother] needs your help… she relies on you” (Chariandy 26). I realized that Francis was morally wrong for abandoning his family unexpectedly. Contrarily, Michael demonstrated his good family and leadership values by replacing his brother as his mother’s caretaker. Michaels’ current position, filling in his brother’s role, supports the idea that literature provides us with experiences that can teach the reader morally and ethically correct ways of handling conflict. 

To extend furthermore, literature allows us to obtain different viewpoints on the experiences of others. Seeing through the perspective of a character or person influences the reader's judgements and morals. In my book club novel, Aisha thought inviting community members would help Michael’s family heal emotionally. Aisha tries to explain by saying: “They’ve heard the story and they want to know more. They want to show their respect.” Michael strongly opposed commenting, “I don’t want their respect. I want them out of this house” (Chariandy 96). Literature itself contains biases; for instance, the author chose to describe the story through one point of view: Michaels. His perspective led me to believe that Aisha was wrong, and I thought, “Why does Aisha have a say on what's right?” The author's bias in literature of limited perspective influences what the reader believes is morally right.

Additionally, reading literature can teach us to accept the viewpoints of others. I recall reading a news article about possible vaccine mandates on educators. Ontario may see thousands of education workers fired for not getting vaccinated. On one hand, we are stopping the spread of Covid-19, and on the other, many educators risk losing their job. If vaccines become mandatory, educators would also lose their freedom of choice. Ontario would demonstrate an immoral and unethical response to vaccine mandates by forcing others to choose between two important aspects of their lives. This piece of literature conflicted with my beliefs because, as a person of colour, I believe in equality and freedom of choice. Instead of forcing educators to get vaccinated or risk being laid off, the ethical solution would be to have the unvaccinated educators work with online students. I realized that literature teaches us to be considerate. We challenge what society thinks is right or wrong, and it helps us find a solution that creates a balance between the opposing sides: considering all the perspectives.

Correspondingly, literature provides the reader with emotional experiences that help us to consider the viewpoints of others. Our group talked about Francis’s emotional position when he abandoned his family, and how his brother Michael felt. A peer understood this experience through Michael’s point of view, suggesting: “Francis lost respect for his family because he felt as if he was doing most duties. Such as buying groceries made him feel like ‘I have done my part, I'm responsible to make decisions on my own’”(Hamza). I can connect to putting yourself into another’s position using my personal experience of choosing players on my basketball team as team captain. Unfortunately, I had a bias of physical appearance; I chose players who looked physically fit to play basketball without ever seeing them play. I left the bigger-built players at the end, whom I thought had no interest in basketball. That night I thought about the players who were picked last. They must have felt so unmotivated, down, and spiritless. I realized that by being considerate of the emotions and thoughts of others, we understand how a character thinks. Emotional experiences in literature cause the reader to infer and reflect on how morals were used by characters, such as considering the perspectives and feelings of others. 

Literature shows us scenarios where characters behave immorally. The reader is provided with an immoral character experience, in which they can contrast to their values, acknowledging that it is wrong. I connected learning from immoral behaviours to a non-fiction essay I read in class called “The Step Not Taken” by Paul D’Angelo. D’Angelo describes his behaviour on an elevator ride, saying: “Employing typical Toronto elevator etiquette, I stood staring up at the row of floor numbers above the doors while purposely ignoring my fellow passenger” (D’Angelo 1). D’Angelo’s behaviour is considered immoral because he followed “Typical Toronto elevator etiquette”: how he was supposed to act in an elevator instead of being himself. I contrasted this immoral experience in literature with my values; I realized how much I value honesty and staying true to myself. This principle is meaningful to me because we are surrounded by what society thinks is normal; hence we must follow these expectations to belong. Through this piece of literature, I recognized that we are dependent on society to shape who we are instead of our unique character, personality and morals. Literature informs us through immoral experiences that we should go against societal expectations, even if most people are not doing it. We are showing what we believe is right according to our personal values, beliefs and morals. 

Moral Adding to a point previously discussed, reading literature causes readers to challenge what society thinks is morally or ethically acceptable by using personal values and beliefs. I would like to make a historical connection to Residential Schools and to a current event of Pope Francis planning to continue efforts of reconciliation with the Indigenous community. I reflected on the Pope’s plan; he would be taking a significant step of reconciliation by apologizing for the Chatholic Church’s involvement in the operation of Residential Schools. In this article, I was able to connect with some of my personal beliefs. I believe that building bridges is the best way to move forward. Words can bring people together; however, actions leave an impact. I agree that the Pope’s apology is a significant part of the Indigenous reconciliation, but there is action needed in order to move forward. My belief that actions outweigh words challenges examples of what society deems ethical. I now ask myself, how often do we think about what we value and what we believe? Are our beliefs and values considered “right” if it opposes what society thinks? 

Furthermore, literature teaches us basic morality and ethics by a character’s reaction towards being influenced to do wrong. Francis mentioned that he wanted Michael to act similarly to himself and when Michael opposed, Francis commented: “Why do you always have to be such a p****” (Chariandy 81). A peer reflected on Francis' expectation of Michael:; being immoral makes you look better. Hamza commented saying: “Francis' definition of being cooler may be unethical but Michael is trying to be kind and ethical. Michael wants to be popular and cool while being respectful and showing good ethics and morality.” Hamza’s quote reinforces that our individual beliefs influence our morals; he believes that being moral and ethical defines a person as cool rather than immoral. I realized that literature could provide the reader with an understanding that having good morals leads to making the right decision. 

Reading or listening to stories, events, or personal experiences has some power to influence what we think is morally acceptable. After completing my book club novel, Brothers and having meaningful discussions with my peers, I reflected on my personal values, beliefs, biases and experiences. I now realize that literature primarily depends on the reader's reflection to determine what is morally and ethically acceptable. Literature allows readers to follow along with the experience, filling in the empty spaces purposely left by the author with personal reflections.