Further narration includes the protagonists feelings of distance from the land and blame that he places upon himself, "But the distance I felt came not from country or people; it came from within me (2)." Thus, as the reader, we understand that the narrator has removed himself from the land and his culture.

             On the narrator"s journey to find his girlfriend, Welch clearly demonstrates the overabundant use of alcohol the narrator consumes to escape reality, and the negative affects that it has upon his life. After a heavy night drinking, the narrator describes the memory loss, the confusion that he feels and the inward turmoil he is struggling with,.

             "I tried to clear my head, to empty it of these images, start again, but all I .

             could see clearly was the moment alone on the bed, the lamplight in my eyes – but it must have happened, she must have come to the room with me (58).".

             Thus, Welch, through the use of blunt and poetic language, evokes the morbid realities that the narrator lifestyle embraces.

             The narrator continues his journey, but feels a compelling urgency to visit an old man that his father, First Raise, had taken him to when he was very young. When the narrator approaches the old man he introduces himself as "First Raise"s son (64)," and calls him "Yellow Calf (64)" the name his father had given him. Through this brief encounter with Yellow Calf, the narrator begins to show a sense respect towards others – specifically towards Yellow Calf. For example, the protagonist compliments Yellow Calf by stating that he is a good housekeeper and utilizes a term of endearment when he says, "You"re too nervous, grandfather . . . . (66-67)." This behavior may be uncharacteristic; however, it is understandable because Yellow Calf is the first person, after his father"s and brother"s death, to give the narrator lessons in life.