As life goes on, our memories turn into the foundation of our personal identity. This is shown in the short story Blue Against White written by Jeannette C. Armstrong, which is shown through the description of the bright blue door, the dirt road, and the female dog. Armstrong develops the idea that your experiences can lead you to a change in identity because she is able to look back on her memories to see how important it is to embrace your own individuality.
Initially Lena’s biggest memory that changed her perspective the most about the reserve is the bright blue door on the white house. Ever since she left the reserve the door had stayed with her. She also remembers all the nice things that were behind that door. She knew she missed the door when “she realized that she had kept that door in her mind all these years she had been away” and loved the “warm smells and laughter”. She had been raised in a very welcoming environment on the reserve where in the city life seemed plain. She grew up hating the blue door because it was different but realizes that it’s good to embrace differences and be proud of your personal identity.
However another memory was the dirt road that weaved through the reserve. She hated this road as well. She remembers this as a road “gutted with deep, dry ruts. But when she arrives she feels like “she could easily be lifted to float up and away from those deep earth gashes”. She walks down the road looking at all cheap government houses packed side by side. The bumpy windy road symbolizes life. There will be twists and turns and many bumps but soon enough you will get to where you need.
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Finally she had always been close and had known everyone on the reserve. These relationships were part of her personal identity. In the city these connections are limited because there are so many more people. The “new” people would be your classmates and maybe your neighbors. For Lena the reserve allowed her to feel normal and feel comfortable because she knows everyone. This strengthens your individuality because you feel more comfortable with your surroundings.
Armstrong develops the idea that your experiences can lead you to a change in identity because she is able to look back on her memories to see how important it is to embrace your own individuality. Your individuality has to do with those strong memories you have in your childhood that will hold onto you forever. In society today you don’t really remember the colour of your door or road outside because it’s all the same, and you maybe know your neighbors little own your whole neighborhood.
