In the novel "Three Day Road" it is defined how the lifestyle, identities and behavior of the indigenous people were burdened through the colonialism of the Europeans as well as the their own cultural traditions. The setting is a determining factor in the characters' actions and can alter their cultural moral values. Joseph Boyden demonstrates that when an individual is placed in an environment different from his origin, he must adapt, which would cause him to deviate from his own value, jeopardizing him in the process. This is especially evident through Elijah and Xavier's adaptability towards the hardships of war, as emotions and thoughts were influenced by the actions of other characters who fought alongside them in the war. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay by Xavier" and Elijah's experience of war can distort circumstances from what is morally right and what is not. Although natives are taught to respect the lives of others, soldiers are people who can step outside that boundary since killing on the battlefield is a necessity, but it is possible to get caught up in the glory of those achievements. Elijah becomes a well-known sniper with many kills and begins to enjoy the recognition that comes from his successes in killing so much from being desensitized by killing. This is partly due to Elijah managing his identity by assimilating into Western culture, as his identity is lost due to their influence. Xavier bitterly questions Elijah's actions of killing one innocent woman he had mistaken for an enemy, defended himself by saying, "I am trained not to hesitate in dangerous situations." This caused Xavier to begin to realize that Elijah has been corrupted by war since he abandoned his style of cultural life and has thrown away his identity to seek importance through the fame that comes with war. A war always has a negative impact on an individual. When a person goes to war they do not return the same, as these people have explored and dealt with the idea of ​​death that comes from engaging in a war and fighting for survival. No matter what their value in life, they are forced to be given a weapon and to kill if they want to live. Unlike Elijah who goes against his culture, Xavier valued his traditions of being a hunter and honoring life despite the act of killing others as a means to survive. According to Xavier, “those who are not collected we bury as best we can in the walls of the trench when they begin to swell and stink. I make sure to thank them because even in death they continue to help. Xavier preserves his culture by thanking the dead for their support, he does so because Niska told him to pray as much as possible and he does so by praying to the dead soldiers. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay The main differences between these two characters are their way of dealing with and internalizing what they witness and experience during the war. Xavier praying to the dead keeps him in touch with his native culture and does not follow Elijah who absorbs more Western culture as he struggles to identify as Aboriginal due to Western influence.