Though he is not the protagonist, Elroy Berdahl has quickly become my favorite character in this novel. He is certainly the "speak softly and carry a big stick" type who does not feel it is his place to meddle. Berdahl is a round character of sorts because he displays complex feelings that are more than one dimensional. He was a god-like figure in O'Brien's journey--he gave him the opportunity to choose between Canada and the war. My favorite quote in O'Brien's description follows:
"One evening, just at sunset, he pointed up at an owl circling over the violet-lighted forest to the west. 'Hey, O'Brien,' he said. 'There's Jesus.' " [page 47]
This quote exemplifies all that Berdahl represents. He is a faithful, polite man who sees boundaries and does not cross them in respect to the people he meets. Even though he was more elderly [81] and O'Brien never came in contact with him again, he changed O'Brien's life during those six days he stayed at Tip Top Lodge.
"One evening, just at sunset, he pointed up at an owl circling over the violet-lighted forest to the west. 'Hey, O'Brien,' he said. 'There's Jesus.' " [page 47]
This quote exemplifies all that Berdahl represents. He is a faithful, polite man who sees boundaries and does not cross them in respect to the people he meets. Even though he was more elderly [81] and O'Brien never came in contact with him again, he changed O'Brien's life during those six days he stayed at Tip Top Lodge.
