Critical Analysis Week Two, Blog Two (A Complicated Kindness, Miriam Toews) 2/3 of the Novel

“Nomi’s problem is a general lack of self-esteem that feeds into an eroding sense of purpose.”
“Yeah, okay, sounds right, I guess. I’m sure once I begin to spend nine hours a day separating chickens’ heads from their bodies I’ll feel a lot better and more useful.” (Toews, A Complicated Kindness 157)

Nomi’s teacher, Mr. Quiring, reveals his thoughts on Nomi’s character to the guidance counselor. Almost every detailed impression the reader has about Nomi is solidified by Mr. Quiring’s response.

Nomi’s lackadaisical approach to most aspects of her life further proves her low level of confidence. She seems to avoid problems in her own character by bringing up other issues that simply end up being cyclical. Instead of pulling herself together and considering the fact that she needs to develop her sense of purpose, Nomi disconcerts the idea with a sardonic reference to lifelong misery working at the chicken abattoir.

This quote was chosen because it provides a great breakdown of Nomi’s character. What Mr. Quiring says couldn’t be put in a better way. He states that Nomi’s low self-esteem leads to her measly quest for self value. Without personal reliance, how can one find personal purpose? With this quote, the readers lean toward disappointment in Nomi. By this point in the novel, readers hope to see her maturing and dealing with her situation, rather than shrugging the idea off altogether.

Because this quote is said by a secondary character, it shows that Toews expects to reinstate the importance of comprehending Nomi as a person by showing that everyone can see Nomi’s insecurities – even someone indirect such as Mr. Quiring. She wants to make sure that the readers are at an understanding of Nomi’s disposition. The readers know how Nomi walks, talks and most importantly, thinks. Throughout various encounters in the novel so far, the readers are inside Nomi’s thoughts. They recognize how Nomi copes with all kinds of conflicts, including the most important - those against herself.