Emotions In The Sisters Brothers

Emotions are very powerful qualities of humans and often create big impacts on one’s decisions and actions. In the novel The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt, the main character Eli begins to understand this idea after he meets the lobby lady at a hotel and falls in love. After experiencing this love for the first time, Eli discovers a new path and as a result, becomes a kinder and more conscientious person. He begins to care for his family members and wants to get closer to them rather than push them away like he has in the past. He also becomes more of a leader, acting on his own decisions rather than always following what others, especially his brother, say. Finally, as the story progresses, Eli’s morals begin to form and solidify,
Firstly, rather than continuing to push his mother out of his life, Eli wants to make up for lost time. At the end of his journey, he spends some time “reflecting on the last few days… [and decides he] would pay [his] mother a visit” (DeWitt 302). He spends the entire journey avoiding conversation about his parents but he is now trying to make amends for it. This decision would not have occurred if not for Eli’s discovery of love, changing his perspective and helping him realize how important his family is. Also, Eli develops a deeper care for his brother. When the brothers return to Mayfield’s town, they are attacked by the women from his business. Eli does not worry about himself, “it was when [he] heard Charlie scream out in pain [he] felt truly panicked” (DeWitt 306). Eli always had a very close bond with Charlie, but they bicker a lot as if they are constantly in competition. His change in opinion about his brother shows how he has matured and become a kinder person. Lastly, Ei realizes he is not suited for the life of a hitman and wants to change his career. When the brothers stop by a shop that is run by a man and his wife, Eli comments that it “is a tidy business… [and he believes he] could settle into a life like that” (DeWitt 50). This realization is fueled by his change in perspective. He realizes his
To begin, he feels remorse for some of his past actions and is willing to make amends for them. Despite complaining about his horse, Tub, throughout the entire journey, once Eli has the opportunity to sell Tub and exchange him for a better horse, Eli “[has] a change of heart and… decided to keep him” (DeWitt 87). Eli feels guilty for abandoning Tub after realizing how hard the horse works. The sense of empathy Eli develops allows him to be kinder to his animal, even though others think he is crazy for keeping such a compromised horse. Next, Eli understands the idea of innocence and wants to protect it as much as he can. When the brothers go to watch a duel in the city, Eli spots a father with his young son also watching the fight. Eli becomes judgemental and asks the father “why [he] would show the lad such a violence at his age” (DeWitt 69). Eli does not become upset at trivial matters, so this is a matter that is quite important to him. Eli had a very traumatic childhood himself, with his brother murdering his abusive father. Even though he does not know the child, he still wants to protect him and his innocence, which shows the extent of his morality. Finally, even during dire circumstances, Eli refuses to betray his newfound morals. The gold-finding formula is the brothers’ end goal, but Warm is dying and did not tell