Essay 3 Rough Draft

SMOKE SIGNALS

Resentment can be a heavy burden on a person that has not found a way to let go. Forgiveness is the only thing that dissolves the resentment and provides freedom from those negative feelings. Recovery from these resentful thoughts can only come when forgiveness has been achieved. Strength is required to forgive and let go of those bitter thoughts and feelings and clear a path for a positive mine-set going forward.

Forgiveness was significant in the movie “Smoke Signals” as Victor has held on to his resentment toward his father since he was a young boy. Arnold, Victor’s father, left because the immense amount of guilty for starting a house fire due to his alcoholism. It appeared that Arnold at first dealt with his guilt through drinking more alcohol which also causes him to become violent toward his wife. This is the way he was able to mask over his guilt and still be around for his family. This all came to a head one day and Arnold gave up the battle, packed up and left. Arnold’s love for his son was present when he was getting in his truck to leave and Victor runs out and Arnold stops and gives him a big hug goodbye. This shows his love for his son even though he is choosing the cowardly way and leaving. I think he left for reasons that allowed him to survive with his own feelings, and in a way, it was a protection in order for his son to live without seeing his father’s guilt daily. But Arnold might not have thought about the lasting effects this would have on his son at such a young age growing up without a father around. A young boy without his father can create many negative emotions such as anger, hostility and resentment.

Victor’s ability to forgive his father all stemmed from the information he learned when he arrived in Arizona to receive his fathers asses and possessions. A good friend of Arnold, Suzy, was there at the trailer. Victor spend a significant amount of time with her discussing the feelings of Arnold. In doing so, Victor finds out that his father was very remorseful and thought of his son everyday; Arnold very much loved his son. This was important for Victor to learn to be able to recover from resentment he had held inside towards his father for all these years. In turn, this helped Victor to forgive his father and let go of the pain. There must have been a sweet release of negativity as Victor let go of his father ashes over the bridge in Spokane. That is the pivotal moment in Victor’s life where he can let go of his resentment and move on to happier, more positive things in his life.

As we reflect on the movie “Smoke Signals”, we can appreciate the healing power that forgiveness can play in one’s life. Forgiveness can be a difficult thing to accomplish but in the end is well worth the effort. Forgiveness helps all involved and helps release the resentment or grudge that has been bogging one down emotionally. It is in everyone’s best interest to forgive when possible. Life is short and you never know when it will be your last day.