In The Skin of a lion essay

Patrick Lewis, the protagonist in the story, In The Skin Of A Lion, goes through an internal change in his beliefs and in his personality; these changes can be noticed throughout the novel. Patrick goes through relationships throughout his life that end up manipulating his view of other’s actions. These key personality changes can be found in the relationships that Patrick had with Clara Dickens, as well as his relationship with Alice Gull. Michael Ondaatje, the author, clearly shows the mental change that Mr. Lewis endured, by showing his compassion and caring with Ms. Dickens; then his attitude changed once Alice influenced him. Nearing the end of the story the change becomes obvious, with his need for revenge, and the interpretation of his attitude with his final actions in the novel.

The relationship between Clara Dickens and Patrick began in an interesting fashion, as Patrick started working for Clara. When Patrick moved to Toronto he began a job as a “Searcher”; he was hired “to find [her] beloved” husband. Clara initiated the relationship between Clara and Patrick, although she was married before their relationship began. Clara also continued to love the idea of her former husband, Ambrose. Patrick does not hold back how he feels towards Clara, stating early in their relationship, “I love you…” (64). Although Patrick confesses his love for Clara, she still tells him that she does not plan to stay in their relationship, Clara and Patrick had a conversation in which it was clear to see she was planning on leaving him eventually.

“-One of these days, soon, I’ll go.

-To join Ambrose.

-Yes… I know he is alive.” (67)

Throughout this relationship, even in the back of his mind, Patrick chooses to ignore the fact that he will los...

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...y murdered, he took it upon himself to avenge her death; he also turned violent with his actions, using her death as his motive. At the end of the novel, Patrick began talking to Harris, someone he felt originally could take the blame for Alice’s death. Once the conversation progresses, Patrick soon realizes the one man could not be to blame, he sees that the rich man does care and should not be punished for a mistake that was not his fault. In the final scenes of the novel, Patrick has the Water Works building wired with explosives, yet he does not detonate them, once he has talked with Harris, Patrick finds peace and falls asleep with the detonator in his hand. The protagonist went through a massive personality change throughout the story, at the end, showing his forgiveness and compassion for an individual, not his anger towards a larger classification of people.