Self Betterment

One must have confidence in themselves to be happy

Eli did not know what he wanted for the longest time

Once Eli discovers what he wants, his mood completely changes.

When others crush your confidence, it affects your entire well being.

"The Commodore asked me to do just this". (Dewitt 57)

One must open up and make themselves heard

"I believe I could settle into a life like that. I sometimes think about settling down." (Dewitt 50)

Thoughts and opinions can begin to build up inside and eat away at you.

Eli began to get more and more conflicted with himself, until he spoke up.

The more he kept what he wanted inside, the more he wanted it.

"I believe I could settle into a life like that. I sometimes think about settling down." (Dewitt 50)

It is evident that Charlie is troubled when he holds his thoughts in.

“Perhaps a man is never meant to be truly happy. Perhaps there is no such a thing in our world, after all.”
(Dewitt 162)

Eli voiced his opinion when he said that he did not want to work for the Commodore anymore.

Action must be taken in order to be accomplished

Eli took action against the Commodore

"The Commodore died" (Dewitt 318)

Went home to his mother

"My mother had heard me walk up and met me at the door." (Dewitt 320)

Talks about plans to open a trading post

"I have given some though to opening a trading post" (Dewitt 323)

Words mean nothing if you cannot back it up.

Unless Eli took action, he would be struck in a cycle of doing things that did not make him happy.

You must work toward your desired social status

Eli takes matters into his own hands by killing the Commodore

This allows Eli to become his own boss

Instantly moves up the ladder

You must not settle for how others label you. You must create your own image.

The fact that the Commodore views Charlie as a superior to Eli eats away at him.

Others are not always correct

Eli disagrees with what Charlie wants, but does not always take action.

You must go against what others say, as you believe in yourself and your opinions

Eli tells Charlie that he is through working for the Commodore.

Eli and Charlie do not kill Warm and Morris

Them not killing Morris and Warm went against what the Commodore wanted