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 eader, 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, turning him into a different character than the simple hitman at the beginning of the novel. Eli was not much of a family person in the beginning and did not see the point of being close to anyone, until he discovers love and his whole viewpoint changes. 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 06). 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 busines.. [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 current job is not uited for him and he even admits that he is “not an efficient killer” (DeWitt 216). He likes the idea of settling down with a woman and living a more peaceful life, which is something he does not even consider in the beginning of the novel. Thus, Eli becomes a more family-oriented after his discovery of love. Next, Eli begins to take initiative and does what he believes is right, despite what others around him believe. He is willing to aid strangers to the extent of his own expenses.
Eli and Charlie meet a young boy who loses his family and instead of pushing him away, Eli gives him a pouch of gold dust. When Charlie protests, Eli simply states that it “was pulled from the ground, when neither one of [them] needs it” (DeWitt 112). His ability to ignore Charlie’s protests and even challenge them is a sign of his growth as a person. He also participates in acts of kindness rather than avoiding them, which shows how love has changed him. Additionally, Eli develops a sense of respect and carries out actions that supports it.
At the end of the brothers’ journey, Eli “decided to bury Morris” (DeWitt 291) when he dies and he “put Warm in the ground in the morning, with no help from Charlie” (DeWitt 301) as well. Eli is choosing to bury the two men on his own accord, without instruction from anyone, is showing that he can use his brain on his own. Even though Charlie does not help with the burial, this does not waver Eli’s determination. He also pays attention to where and how the two men are buried, which reflects his conscientiousness.
Finally, Eli’s relationship with his brother changes to something healthier. He even says it himself, that “this was the beginning of [their] new brotherhood, with Charlie never again to be the one so far ahead” (DeWitt 295). Kindness is no longer a weakness in Eli’s point of view, and this is expressed through how he has become milder and more empathetic, balancing out his brother’s more aggressive personality. Therefore, Eli’s new sense of leadership allows him to do what is right and as a result, be kinder to people.
Lastly, Eli starts to display his morality and has a sense of what is right and wrong, not just in the eyes of the law but feels in his heart. 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 ourney, 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 them how to make more of the formula. Even so, Eli does not want to “torture the dying man for every last instruction and ingredient” (DeWitt 294).
The brothers risk everything by what he betraying the Commodore and hunting for gold with Warm and Morris, and their future rests on knowing the gold formula. However, Eli decides not to pester Warm and allow the man to die in peace, suppressing his own wants and needs so Warm can be happy for his last few moments. Thus, Eli displays kindness and maturity through his newfound morals. In conclusion, Eli begins to show the qualities of a very kind and noble man throughout the course of his journey, qualities hat will serve him well for the rest of his life.
Eli displays very family-oriented traits and even begins to want to be a family man. He also begins to be a lesader and no longer follows behind Charlie or waits for others to tell him what is right. Finally, Eli’s morals reflect his kindness and this kindness gets more prominent as he conforms to said morals. With all this being said, Eli Sisters is not a perfect character. One might argue that he is not even a likeable one. However, it is obvious that he shows growth throughout his journey and teaches readers an important lesson about the positive impacts of change.
