The White Dawn

RUNNING HEAD: REPORT

Sarkak, the Arctic Anti-Hero

[Name of the Writer]

[Name of the Institution]

Sarkak, the Arctic Anti-Hero

For some people, it is challenging to adjust with cultural differences in the long-term. In this regard, the novel "The White Dawn" vividly describes the conflicts that occur between different traditions. The decisions made by the leader determine their stature and heroics. In this context, the paper is based on My Thesis: Sarkak could have been a hero had he not been so selfish.

As a leader of Clan, Sarkak should have been considerate towards the three men belonging to different cultures and were allowed to live with the tribe. It is understandable that tribal leaders are expected to follow tribal rules and strictly enforce the tribal in society. Sarkak realizes that the three men are harming the overall structure, culture, tradition, and lifestyle of the clan, and they are exploiting the overall system. However, he should have realized that Daggett was following the customs, and was being respectful to the overall culture of the tribe, unlike Billy who has been nefarious considering the overall rules and regulations of the clan.

Furthermore, to a larger extent, Portagee followed the tribal norms of the societies. Therefore, all three did not deserve the same type of punishment that they received. In this respect, Sarkak should have been sympathetic. In a way, he was right that those three men were not fully obeying the rules, but the overall circumstances must have been taken into account. A leader of a tribe or any other group should be merciful. In addition, the leaders should ensure that justice should reflect in all of their decisions. Sometimes, humanity comes above all the laws and the tribal culture. Sarkak act demonstrated selfishness, and there were other ways as well to protect the tribal culture and tradition. The approach adopted by him showed that he had some prejudice with the three men who did not belong to his culture. Sarkak lacked a vision in his decision as he lacked the exposure, he did not know as to what were the traditions in the outside world, and how people act and behave who do not belong to his culture or tribe. If all the people living in the tribe do not share the same values, it does not mean that they all are culprits. In order to make decisions, one should be open-minded, and keep in mind all the facts. Whereas in Sarkak's case, his ego became a dominant factor. It appeared as if he was more concerned about leadership instead of the fair decision. Sarkak could have become a hero, had he not been selfish. All three men should not have been killed. As a result of bias, grudges, and selfishness, the decision made by Sarkak was not fair and made him controversial.

In episode 62, Jakes, Chucky, and Dean are instructed to assist the training of National Army troops. From the overall body language and the style of Chucky, it was apparent that he had doubts about the positive outcome of the mission. When the unit is trapped, and many of the recruits leave the field, Chucky is on his own, and there he encounters a fatally wounded Taliban sniper, he begs him to give him death as he seemed in great pain. In this sequence, the next event was a bit ambiguous as the firing from the gun was heard twice, but what happened is down to the thoughts of other characters. This part of the story is staged for keen viewers a fiction based version of the notable case of Capt. Robert Semrau, a main incident in the Canadian press.

In the year 2008, Semrau alongside his troops was carrying out a patrol in an unstable province "Helmand." They were also guiding a group of Afghan National Army; suddenly they found a critically injured Taliban insurgent. Although one of the ANA officers asked Semrau to leave the wounded man, Semrau took responsibility for what he was going to do, and he gave that insurgent a mercy death as he was tormenting. This particular act by Semrau was deemed as gross misconduct, and he court marshaled for committing a second level crime of killing. Resultantly, Semrau was terminated from the Canadian Forces. Later, he got sympathies from the public, and a large number people were of the view that his act was justified in a way that he could not see someone in pain and gave a mercy death which in some cases courts do. The soldiers who are in charge sometimes have to take decisions which are against the rules but according to humanity. Both in the drama and real life, the incident is a moral lesson for the people who make rules, and if people violate them for the sake of humanity, they are considered culprit.

In episode 50, it is shown that the Afghan National Army leaves or probably deceives the Canadian unit. Similarly, the tense situation between Canadian forces and the local people: mainly warlords who get hold of the position of power, women who work in the schools and interpreters in their employ. One of the interpreters was found to be disloyal and a coward, while other named Nazim is depicted as moderate, and an intelligent young individual who knows three languages and is Canadian's like-minded in many ways. The Canadian forces wanted Nazim to be safe, and that is the reason why they attempted to move him in a safe place when he was spotted by one of the prisoners, but unfortunately, Nazim's sister's school was attacked. This episode describes the efforts of the Canadian government to build a better future for Afghan people who have been in a state of war for decades. In this regard, Canadian forces were also committed, but still, they had a little success in their overall mission because the circumstances were not very favorable in the country.

Bibliography

Afghanada. Created by Jason Sherman, Andrew Moodie, Greg Nelson, and Adam Pettle. 103 episodes with special Remembrance Day 2007 broadcast. Toronto: CBC Radio, 2006-2011.

Houston, James. The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga. San Diego: Harcourt Brace and Company, 1983.