Thomas King is a Native author from Canada with strong opinions on Native culture and how cultures within Canada can coexist in the 20th century. The literary format is extremely effective for expressing one's ideas. In the novel "Medicine River," Thomas King utilizes realistic characters, dialogue and situations effectively to convey how cultural stereotypes of Native Americans are often untrue. This theme is applicable universally wherever a larger culture is dominates a smaller one.
             Stereotyping others is a tendency nearly all humans have; however, through familiarity with another culture, these stereotypes are often proven untrue. Gaining a familiarity with those you stereotype may be difficult because it is hard to get over an initial fear of the group. By writing an interesting novel, Thomas King is successful in showing common stereotypes about Natives are untrue. His characters could as easily be white as native.
             Part of the way Thomas King creates this familiarity so effectively is by breathing life into his characters through dialogue. The dialogue in "Medicine River" is both realistic and witty and is often made humorous by the narrator's stream of conscience thought about the conversation. This is particularly entertaining when the narrator, Will, is being harassed by his best friend Harlen. An prime example of this is when Harlen says to Will:
             "We got to help her, Will. Somebody's got to look after her. Be with her.
             Take her out, so she's not ashamed to be seen in public. You know what I mean?"
             We witness Will's character growth throughout the course of the story through his dialogue. Upon his arrival to Medicine River and in his flashbacks, Will speaks very passively. As the story progress we see his character becoming more forward and at times aggressive.
             The diction that Thomas King uses for his character's conversations is very...