"Personality is born out of pain," says author J. Experiences identify a character, especially tragic ones. Such statement holds true particularly to characters such as David Max, the father of the narrator, in the story "Stones" by Timothy Findley. His personalities alter dramatically during the war. As a scarred returning solider, the changes affect his family greatly. A loving father transforms into a constant threat, bringing terror to the family. Personality of a child comes from generic information and teachings from the environment; therefore, one cannot choose but to accept how he is like at birth; however, personality changes do occur later on in life. A change in person may occur naturally with social interactions, or be forced unwillingly by extreme condition. David Max suffers from the latter. The provoking war environment compels him to a foreign mind and soul. The horrendous man slaughter at Dieppe drastically affects his conscious and feelings. As the terrifying scene unveils before David Max's eyes, he freezes and escapes from the battlefield, stricken with fear. This act of a coward invites guilt to his mind, and prohibits him to forgive himself. David Max lives unconsciously as a walking dead. The change, full of regrets and sorrows, remains with the character to his grave.
In the beginning of the story, David Max demonstrates his goodness through his appearances and actions. "He wore green aprons" (432) when working in the flower shop. Green, a vigorous colour, accents the wearer's friendly and energetic personalities. A grown man who willingly devotes his life to selling flowers that presents a sense of femininity is a gentleman. Running a successful business requires a humble attitude toward the customer. The fact that Colonel Matheson "comes in every morning" (432) to the flower shop for a boutonniere shows David's Max modesty in his service. He proves his credibility when he made "a bet of roses" (433) with Mister Schickel and kept his word when he lost.
Except for the extraordinary Marabar Caves, located in the hills some twenty miles away, the Indian city of Chandrapore is unremarkable; it stretches shabbily along the Ganges River, and only the upper rise of the city, where the English live, is beautiful. One evening in Chandrapore Dr. Aziz rides ...
