Tomson Highway’s book, Permanent Astonishment, tells the story of a Cree child growing up in the sub-arctic region of Canada. The book extensively discusses the traditional ways of living on land coupled with the experiences of learning and living in a faraway Residential School. Informed by gratitude, Highway’s story helps one comprehend the uncompromising weight of historical existence and the role of nature and religion while highlighting the responsibility that people tend to share for their existence and sustainability. Throughout the book, Highway effectively showcases to the readers the intersection between nature and religion and the role they played in shaping his life.
The book Permanent Astonishment reveals how, despite living in a bush in Northern Canada, Highway’s family still upheld religious beliefs. In Chapter One, Highways states, “When they get to the tent where lies my mother moaning out one ardent Hail Mary after another and clutching her rosaries to the point where her knuckles creak”. Ideally, Tomson explains the degree of prayerfulness that was evident in the family despite the various kinds of adversity that they faced. With the adverse weather conditions evident in the Northern Canda bush, Highway’s family seemed to seek solace in Jesus. The book Permanent Astonishment states that the author was “born in a snow bank” in 1951 (Chapter One). At his birth, Tomson Highway had nothing apart from a tent wall and blanket that separated him from a -40 degrees Celsius of Northern Canada. Seemingly, this explains the adverse conditions of Northern Canada that pushed its inhabitants into seeking Christ, thereby explaining the critical intersection between religion and nature in Highway’s life.
The intersection of religion and nature is also evident during Highway’s birth. In Permanent Astonishment, the author explains the unforgiving nature in which he grew up. As a result of the nature, Tomson Highway’s father had already lost five children as a result of pneumonia. In Tomson’s birth, he prayed, ” Please God,” he sobs, “don’t take my son. Take me instead.” And then he sits shaking. And shaking and shaking. Until stark agony combined with exhaustion plunges him into pitch-black darkness” (Chapter Two). The loss of children explains the dire challenges associated with living in the bushes of Northern Canada. Joe’s prayer to God to spare his son’s life points out what it takes for a human spirit to triumph in such a region. Evidently, this explains how, since Tomson Highway’s birth, his life has always been dedicated to Christ. This can also be seen later on in the memoir when Tomson Highway became an alternate server at the Residential School. While at the institution, Tomson Highway showcased respect for the sincere faith in Christ that his parents had and how it played a role in shaping his life. The various challenges that his family faced helped steer him towards religion.
Nature and religion intersect in Highway’s life since they influenced his general upbringing. The prevailing weather, characterized by snow and extremely low temperatures, pushes Highway’s parents to be prayerful and devout Catholics, thereby ensuring that Tomson Highway is raised in faith as well. In Chapter Four, Tomson is introduced to the Christian way of life through baptism. In the book, “Father Egg Nog waves his arms this way, that, and the other. Until they come to the crux” during the baptism of Tomson Highway. Ideally, in the Christian way of life, baptism publicly acknowledges a person’s confession of belief and faith in the gospel message. It essentially showcases the entrance of a sinner into the church. Indeed, this symbolized the beginning of the religious journey of Tomson Highway, with the belief that through life in Christ, Tomson Highway will be able to conquer various life challenges, including challenges associated with adverse nature in the region.
The nature of the world played a central role in prompting Tomson Highway to attend a Residential School that promoted religious values. Highway’s father was keen on observing the evolving nature of the world. He comprehended the way of life of the isolated Cree people in the Northern world as he regarded them as “If his world is on the cusp of leaping five generations in one, something Joe Highway knows is about to transpire” (Chapter 16). It was evident that significant changes were bound to occur in Northern Canada. These changes involved socio-cultural changes that would affect the general way of life of the indigenous people. The evolving nature helped ensure that Tomson attended a Residential School. In essence, the school helped in shaping Tomson’s beliefs in faith. He was able to learn about the liturgy as well as seasonal high peaks such as Christmas concerts and Christian-related activities. Indeed, this suggests how nature helped shape Highway’s overall religious beliefs.
In conclusion, the book Permanent Astonishment effectively elaborates on the intersection between nature and religion in Highway’s life. The unforgiving nature of Northern Canada pushes Highway’s family to adopt a religious way of life by being devout Catholics. This further manifests in Highway’s life through his baptism, attending a residential school that teaches religious values, and consequently being an altar boy. Indeed, throughout the book, the author showcases how nature can significantly influence a person’s beliefs.
Works Cited
Highway, Tomson. Permanent Astonishment: A Memoir. 2021
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