English Patient

This key passage is from Michael Nonnative's The English Patient, found in the first few pages of chapter four. Before, this passage, Hanna is sitting beside Llamas while he begins to describe his first expedition in the deserts in the asses. After, Llamas explained how he came to hate nations, but was attached to the desert as It could not be claimed or own. The passage between reinforces the Idea that Identity Is not fixed, It changes over time as people grow and gain experience.This Is made evident through Almanacs character which Is portrayed through the symbol of the desert. Symbolism Is used to encapsulate plot elements that are crucial to the theme and allow the reader a deeper level of Interpretation of the novel. The desert represents transience; It Is neither fixed nor unitary. Further, It cannot be claimed, owned or defined similar to Almanacs Identity, which Is constantly shifting. Llamas explained: â€Å"The breeze that had been refreshing had gradually strengthened.Eve ntually we coked down, and the surface of the desert was changed. † This demonstrates the desert's refusal to use anything artificial such as borders, or names as a landscape because it's continuously changing by sandstorms, similar to how Llamas refuses to reveal his identity because it changes over time and does not reflect where he comes from. Identity is dynamic, and many factors are needed to create an identity. The reader is prompted to reconsider what exactly makes up an identity, what defines who are. Identity should be chosen rather than inherited.