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Patrick grows up in Eastern Ontario, in the area of Depot Creek. He mentions seeing "men walk past the farmhouse down First Lake Road," which is right by Depot Creek. The men would walk their cattle down this road to take them to the milking barns. It is now a nature reserve that you can visit.

Link to the nature reserve https://www.landconservancykfla.org/visiting-depot-creek-nature-reserve/

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https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/timber-trade-history    -- This is a video showing the history of moving logs and the link is a webiste explaining the history of logging 

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Anonymous loggers arive in Patricks town and he obverses them from a distance. 

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Anonymous loggers arive in Patricks town and he obverses them from a distance. 

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Patrick studies how the foreign workers are constantly exausted and cold due to the harsh working conditions.

He also infers the exclusion of the workers, explaining that they do not speak to him or the townspeople, and that they only enter town when skating along the river.

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On page 14, the scene shifts to Patrick’s childhood summers, when his father would “drip gasoline onto… caterpillar tents and set them on fire.” (14) This evocative scene in the book not only connects to the themes of fire and insects but also a real invasive species introduced by silk farmers in the 1800s. During this time, it was a widespread practice for loggers and residents to find and kill these moth nests before their metamorphosis. If left unchecked, these moths would destroy their host trees.

Here is a link to Ontario Parks which dives further into this invasive moth species and its origins:

https://www.ontarioparks.ca/parksblog/spongy-moth-caterpillars/

"Spongy Moth caterpillars (or larvae) change as they grow. Young caterpillars emerge from egg masses in late May and feed on leaves until early July. Mature caterpillars can be as long as 2.5 inches."

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eating invasive moth caterpillars set on fire 

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At 11, Patrick awakens and ventures to the river where he sees a group of loggers skating on the river with burning cattails. Patrick watches as they skate, almost stunned, the actions of these men completely capture him; Patrick wishes to join them but stops himself for some reason. Patrick's reaction shows the contrast between their freedom to do what they like, to have fun, and to play with friends; and Patrick's labour filled and isolated life he lives with his father.

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Richardson Mine was opened as a gold mine, leading to a minor gold rush in Ontario. The mine later shut down and was reopened as a feldspar mine. It is the place in which Patrick's father, Hazen, died. https://desertlakelife.ca/pages/richardson-mine

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This photo accurately represents what I had imagined in the scene between Clara and Alice when they are drawing the spirit paintings. It really shows the depth of their relationship and the unique connection that they share. The colours shown in this picture really helps you visualize the scene, and it gives off a colourful aura that I'm sure we all invisioned. This photo makes you feel immersed in it and helps you really understand the spirit painting passage. From looking at a couple of different sources, spirit paintings or spirit art is a form of mediumship that brings messages and energy from the spirit world. It is created from the energy and matter from the unseen world.

https://www.richardstuttle.com/what-is-spirit-art-portraits-of-loved-one-from-beyond-the-grave/

https://www.sandramartinez.co.uk/what-is-spirit-art/

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Patrick learns about Ambroses' lover Clara Dickens and takes a train out to Paris, Ontario to meet her. After meeting her and a brief conversation, Clara offers to drive him to the Arlington Hotel to which he tiredly accepts.

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(AI image depicting families leaving due to the war)

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Nicholas Temelcoff: His great escape to America

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Nicholas Temelcoff: His great escape to America

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Nicholas experienced part of the war in the Balkans, which influenced his decision to leave for Daniel Stoyanoff's "America."

His village burned, causing him and three friends to escape by horse. They travelled through various places, such as Athens, Greece and Switzerland, all the way to France. In 1918, Nicholas boarded a ship headed to New Brunswick from Le Havre, planning his new start.

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While Nicholas works on the Bloor Street Viaduct, a group of nuns decide to come across. When a strong wind throws one off the bridge, Nicholas catches her and dislocates his shoulder in the process. After making their way up from below the bridge, they stumble through the city towards the Ohrida Lake Restaurant, where he drinks himself to sleep. Here, Alice adapts her name from the parrot, Alicia.

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During Patricks search for Small, he finds Clara, Small's mistress in Paris, Ontario. They then build a relationship before Clara leaves him warning him not to search for her.

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Patrick Visits Clara's Mother in Paris, Ontario

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Patrick Visits Clara's Mother in Paris, Ontario

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Three years after Clara disappears, Patrick is not over his feelings for her. After a short meeting with Alice, she tells Patrick to talk to Clara's mother, who lives in Paris, Ontario.

Paris is the transmitter site for several broadcast radio and TV stations, and Clara grew up to be a radio actress. Maybe where she grew up influenced her career choice.

To see more historical images of Paris Ontario, click here:

https://www.theparismuseum.com/paris-history

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Perspective view of proposed Bloor Street viaduct, January 28, 1913
Series 372, Subseries 10, Item 63
 

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Comissioner Harris proposed the construction of the Viaduct. This is a proposed vision.

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After his fathers death, Patrick arrives in Toronto with a piece of feldspar in his pocket (a tribute to his father).

Linked is a PDF, dated 1940, of Canada's feldspar mining history.

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Immigrants arriving at Union Station, Toronto 1910.

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Patrick arrives in Union Station, mid 1920s. At this time, Patrick mentions immigration frequently. He relates his disconnected feelings to an immigrant man on the station and compares his situation to being in the belly of the whale.

Informative article covering a brief history of Toronto Union Station and it's immigration usages: https://www.heritagetoronto.org/explore/toronto-rail-lands-history-tour/union-station-immigration-railway/

Link to photo: https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?idnumber=3194884&app=fonandcol

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Clara leaves Patrick and her Iguana behind. 

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Clara leaves Patrick and her Iguana behind. 

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When Clara abruptly ended their relationship, she abandoned Partick and traveled to Depot Creek to reunite with her former lover Ambrose Small. Upon her sudden departure, she leaves her blind iguana behind, forcing Patrick to take care of it.

She leaves with the simple instructions "Feed it clover and vetch, lots of water. Rattle the cage before you put food in. Just to let him know."

However, iguanas require much more care than the extent of Patrick's knowledge allows, and are very complex pets. This website explores the many aspects you need to consider when caring for your pet iguana, which Patrick probably would have benefited from if the internet had existed. https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/iguanas-housing

In addition, here is some information on the species of green iguanas. https://animalia.bio/green-iguana

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Ambrose Small and the Bertillon Records - G.D.

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Ambrose Small and the Bertillon Records - G.D.

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In Toronto, 1924, Patrick becomes an Ambrose Small 'searcher,' looking for people who might match Small's Bertillon records in hopes of earning his $80,000 finding reward. The Bertillon system (used 1889-1923) used mugshot-style photos and measurements (i.e. nose, eyes, and height) to identify criminals and missing individuals.

At the same point in time, the Bertillon system was being used by physiognomists and phrenologists to discriminate against and arrest racialized peoples. In SOAL, immigrants must live in poor conditions and navigate Canada being the "other."

Article connecting the Bertillon records and profiling:

https://smarthistory.org/alphonse-bertillon-mugshot-and-record-of-francis-galton/

Video about Ambrose Small:

https://youtu.be/d7YslW1yPwQ

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In 1867 when the Richardson mine was opened. The average daily wage was $0.64 and $1.215 between the years 1840-1891, this was for workers without distinct geographic splits, including yard hands, watchmen, teamsters, quarrymen, coal-heavers, helpers, and unskilled manufacturing workers.

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The journal of political economy v.13 1905.

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The journal of political economy v.13 1905.

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Patrick confronts Ambrose, resulting in a violent encounter where Patrick is injured.

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Patrick confronts Ambrose, resulting in a violent encounter where Patrick is injured.

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Patrick's encounter with Ambrose is in his hometown of Depot Creek. Ambrose's actions accentuate his violent nature and greed.

Ambrose pours kerosene on Patrick and sets it on fire. The flames are cut short by Patrick's quick actions as he heads for the nearby river. During the struggle, Patrick accidentally cuts himself while removing his blazing jacket. Ambrose follows up the assault by throwing a Molotov cocktail resulting in partial blindness in Patrick's left eye. Ambrose doesn't leave unscathed as Patrick slashes his shoulder before running away.

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Advertisement for Rathbun Timber company 

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Patrick's affair occurred two years after he was working at the lumber yard for the Rathbun Timber Company.

The Rathbun Timber Company supplied raw materials for urban construction in the early 1900s. They most likely provided for building houses and railway tracks.

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A picture of the Prince Edward Viaduct in the 21 century. 

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In 1923 Nicholas Temelcoff become involved in the construction of the Prince Edward Viaduct. His skill as a bridge builder makes him a value to the project. He works dangerous night shifts and saves a nun that falls off the bridge during a storm.

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The Macedonian people Patrick has been working with and living around try to have connections with him, but the language barrier is strong between them. Parick discovers their word for Iguana, Gooshter, which creates a mutual understanding between both cultures. He can just start to communicate now with these people, and it creates a bond between him and his community.

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Patrick feels isolated in the city, surrounded by foreign immigrants.

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Patrick feels isolated in the city, surrounded by foreign immigrants.

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In 1931, 22% of Canadians were immigrants. At the time, this was the highest that the percentage had ever been. Most of these immigrants (60%) lived in cities. The vast majority of the immigrants were from the British Isles or France; however, due to different groups moving together, there were many pockets of specific nationalities. https://ccrweb.ca/en/hundred-years-immigration-canada-1900-1999

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Chetnik flag, links to the definition on Britannica 

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Patrick learns about Alice's past and her daughter

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Patrick learns about Alice's past and her daughter

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After the puppet show Patrick finds Alice in her room, after hours of talking he just realises the sleeping child - Hana. Alice reveals that Hana's father was a chetnik. A chetnik is a political activist, a freedom fighter. (Page 122)

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Chetnik | Yugoslav Partisans, World War II, Draza Mihailovic | Britannica

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Chetnik, member of a Serbian nationalist guerrilla force that formed during World War II to resist the Axis invaders and Croatian collaborators but that primarily fought a civil war against the Yugoslav communist guerrillas, the Partisans. After the surrender of the Yugoslav royal army in April

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Patrick and Alice start their relationship

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Patrick and Alice start their relationship

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Patrick follows Alice home, and after a few hours, he notices Hana. Alice proceeds to open up to Patrick, such as how she never married Hana's dad or how she has always liked Patrick for despising Ambrose. Later, Patrick starts to hang out with Alice and Hana more, leading to him being more comfortable around Hana

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After meeting again at the theatre, Patrick gets closer to Hana, spending more time with her and hearing stories about Alice and her past. The more they talk, he learns that she likes how he doesn’t like Ambrose and talks about Hana’s father. As Patrick spends more time with Alice and Hana, he feels more at ease and feels like he fits in, kind of like a family.

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Patrick Learns to use Dynamite for Construction Work

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Patrick Learns to use Dynamite for Construction Work

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Patrick's knowledge from his childhood gives him valuable insight into the profession. His dynamite usage begins in the 1930s when his skills are used to blow through large walls of rock. Patrick's expertise is rewarded as he is paid extra for dynamiting along with his regular digging work. Patrick finds peace and comfort in his work which highlights his similarities with Hazen. His current job showcases his dangerous working conditions portraying the life of a working-class person.

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Here is a book about the role puppetry has played in history. Puppet shows have been used to spread rhetoric, teach people about social issues and galvanize the public.

The Macedonians put on a puppet show in the unfinished waterworks building about the unfair and violent treatment of immigrants. It was so powerful that it took Patrick out of his seat and moved him to action. This gathering changed Patrick's life for the better, introducing him to community.

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Puppets & Politics: A Record of Seven Decades

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As Patrick Patrick takes part in Macedonian social life he becomes more involved in the community making him reevaluate traditional views about immigration. As he becomes friends with his neighbors he concludes that people can learn from each others cultures and immigration can lead to mutual exchange instead of one sided assimilation

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Macedonian Immigrant Shopkeepers of the early 1900s

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In the 1900s, Macedonians were one of the largest immigrant groups, gathering mainly in Toronto. The story of Nicholas Temelcoff, a Macedonian immigrant, mirror the stories of many real Macedonian immigrants: starting as a labourer and moving into the food industry.

Attached are archival photos of real Macedonian shopkeepers.

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The social life of early Macedonian immigrants revolved around mutual and benevolent societies established on the basis of their village. Such Macedonian brotherhoods and organizations such as Zhelevo, Banitsa, Buf, Oshchima and numerous others operating in Toronto became valuable storehouses of comradeship, job information and worksite strategies. These brotherhoods and organizations were created to offer support to members of the communities, particularly those who were new and unfamiliar with the environment. We see as well in the novel how important the Macedonian immigrants are. They play a huge roll in the construction and upbringing of the city as well as the culture, and friendships they brought.

https://macedonianhistory.ca/

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Overcome with grief, Patrick seeks revenge on the wealthy and attempts to burn down the Muskoka Hotel. Book 2

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Overcome with grief, Patrick seeks revenge on the wealthy and attempts to burn down the Muskoka Hotel. Book 2

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Patrick’s grief over Alice’s death consumed him, he struggled to process it and got overwhelmed with sorrow, so he turned to revenge, fixating on those who were responsible, which were the rich. The Muskoka Hotel is kind of a symbol of wealth and status, which was probably influenced by the area's historic resorts, possibly a reference to luxurious hotels that have been there since the late 1800s . In the book, the luxury location serves as a symbol of economic inequality.

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The Molotov cocktail is a deadly weapon which is usually in a glass bottle full of flammable liquid gasoline and kerosine are usual suspects that are inside the bottle. The outside is a rag that is soaked in alcohol to gain its combustion after the ingredients combine on the ground. Ambrose used this against Patrick and the damage was massive to him. Blindness in his left eye and burns on him from the events.

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Patrick Finds a Job at the Waterworks in Toronto

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Patrick Finds a Job at the Waterworks in Toronto

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Patrick acquires a job in the tunnels working for Roland Caldwell Harris in the construction of "The Palace Of Purification" (Ondaatje 103) in 1930. Patrick describes the working conditions as "digging into the brown slippery darkness" (Ondaatje 105). The treatment plant first became operational on November 1st 1941.

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Patrick appreciates the contributions to Toronto by the Macedonians

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Patrick appreciates the contributions to Toronto by the Macedonians

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Patrick gains respect for all the work the Macedonians have put into Toronto's ever-growing infrastructure; Patrick gains this respect because he not only has been living in a Macedonian neighborhood with Alice and Hana but he also works for the city himself and knows firsthand what the work is like.

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Patrick is deeply hurt by the death of Alice, causing him to seek revenge of the rich, setting the Muskoka Hotel on fire. He then escapes on the docks.

It's unknown what Hotel was being referenced in the book, if any, but this hotel in Muskoka is very similar. It features the docks that are talked about in the book which Patrick could have run away to. This hotel has been around since 1870, so it's possible the author could be referencing this one. The hotel offers a view of Lake Rosseau. https://windermerehouse.com/history/

Here is also a link to an article of a hotel that was destroyed by a fire in Muskoka. It was the grand Royal Muskoka Hotel, which was built by a steamer company. In 1952 the entire hotel was engulfed in flames. The article also says "Driven to the fire like moths to light, dozens of curious cottagers converged on the dying building." This was interesting because Patrick always references moths in the book. https://www.muskokaregion.com/life/the-grand-royal-muskoka-hotel/article_2fc48369-d40e-5d6a-a699-65d01715bec1.html

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A picture taken from the Toronto archives of the Adelaide and Bay Streets in downtown Toronto, taken in 1927

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When Patrick comes to the city he feels isolated as he is surrounded immigrants workers. he doesn't share the language, customs and found it hard to connect with the community. In the story he says "He could not find a way into their world, their history locked behind language and gesture."

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Short Film - Rosvall Voutilainen Pigeon River Timber Strike

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Alice shares her past, revealing her daughter Hana and her deceased lover Cato's activism. 

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Alice shares her past, revealing her daughter Hana and her deceased lover Cato's activism. 

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Cato's activism and death parallels that of two Finnish-Canadian Unionists who were killed in 1929. Viljo Rosvall and Janne Voutilainen traveled to the Port Arthur-area Onion Lake to recruit bushworkers for a strike. But, they never arrived, because they went missing, and their bodies were found in the Lake the following spring. Although the foul play was suspected, their deaths were ruled "accidental drownings". In 1930, as thousands of people gathered for the funeral, a solar eclipse covered them in shadow, making the incident even more unique.

The undeniable similarities between the character Cato and the deaths of these two men add depth and value to the short, undetailed life of Cato in the novel, because it adds more background to his unwritten story.

The deaths of the two men remain a mystery, much like the character Cato in The Skin of a Lion.

This Website shares all the above information and more: https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/plaques/rosvall-and-voutilainen

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Rosvall Voutilainen Pigeon River timber strike

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Underground Politics in Toronto (Connected to Waterworks Skits) 

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Underground Politics in Toronto (Connected to Waterworks Skits) 

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The underground politics in Toronto in the early 1900s parallels the waterworks uprising in SOAL. The early 20th century was a time when communism was spreading like the plague. Not only this, but there was a growing push for unions in Canada. One relevant act in history was known as the Toronto Worker's Revolt.

"On May Day 1919, up to 10,000 Toronto workers rallied and cheered for social revolution... and demanded the release of political prisoners jailed under the War Measures Act." At the same time, "4,000 metal trades workers in 232 factories went on strike."

https://activehistory.ca/blog/2019/06/20/the-workers-revolt-in-toronto/#:~:text=On%20May%20Day%201919%2C%20up,under%20the%20War%20Measures%20Act.

This relates to the acts of vandalism and secret meetings held in SOAL—specifically, the puppet scene played by Alice.

The poor conditions immigrants faced did bring them into close-knit communities that celebrated culture, though.

Jacob Riis and Louis Hine are prominent photographers from that period who documented such connections.

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Jim Naylor The militancy, radicalism, and enthusiasm of large numbers of Toronto workers suggested they were on a parallel path to Winnipeggers leading up to that city’s general strike. The final y…

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Around the 1930s, Patrick sets the Muskoka Hotel on fire as a tribute to Alice and her anti-capitalist outlook.

Alice wasn't the only person with this outlook; in fact, many other people in the 1930s had a strong "eat the rich" mentality. This left-wing political swing is mainly due to the Great Depression in 1929 when people were left without jobs or food.

There are no documented political arson attacks during the 1930s. Still, it is possible that Michael Ondaatje based Patrick's attack off of the Royal Muskoka Hotel being burnt down in 1952 for an unknown reason.

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Farmhouses in In the Skin of a Lion and Canadian History

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Farmhouses in In the Skin of a Lion and Canadian History

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Rural farmhouses in early 20th-century Canada, like Alice Gull’s in In the Skin of a Lion, were vital as both homes and centers of community resilience. They served as gathering places where individuals could unite against the pressures of industrialization and urbanization, sharing resources and ideas to preserve traditions. Throughout the book, Alice's farmhouse is a refuge and a site of solace that plays off farmhouses as symbols of resistance and interconnectivity in the real world.

Article expanding on the history of agriculture and farming in Ontario: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/agriculture-in-canada

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Patrick was held in the Kingston Penitentiary, Canada's famous maximum security prison. The prison opened in 1835 and closed in 2013, making it one of the world's oldest continually used prisons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_Penitentiary

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In the book, Patrick burns down the Muskoka Hotel, a parallel to the real Royal Muskoka Hotel which caught fire on the 18th of may, 1952 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Muskoka_Hotel

The hotel was open between 1901 and 1952 and constructed on an island in Lake Rosseau.

The hotel was considered a prime vacation location for many years for the rich and politicians. Prime Minister Robert Bordon stayed in the hotel in early august 1914 before he was summoned to Ottawa before the British Empire entered World War 1.

The hotel struggled through the Great Depression but experienced a brief revival through the 1940s, particularly during the Second World War, since vacations to Europe weren't possible. After world war 2, patronage slowed again.

In the book, the hotel is purposely set on fire. In real life, the origin of the fire that destroyed the hotel is questionable, since it had been significantly downsized in the late 40s and was a failing asset for many years by that point.

The property still retains the name Royal Muskoka Island.

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Texas Star square dance and calling squares.

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When Patrick and Caravaggio were in prison together Caravaggio gets attacked, and Patrick saves his life by calling out squares. Calling squares had been a staple in Patricks childhood. His father really only made a sound when he would call squares at the Yarker and Tamworth Hotel. In Modern Square Dancing, dancers learn the individual movements known as calls. The caller (in this case Patrick) is responsible for putting the calls together into sequences to form the dance. The first square dances were first documented in 17th-century England and 18th-century France; square dancing travelled to North America with the European settlers and it spread rapidly there.

https://www.ceder.net/def/class_notes.php#:~:text=In%20Modern%20Western%20Square%20Dancing,not%20anticipate%20the%20next%20call.

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/square-dance-explained

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Picture from Official Organ Of The Canadian Kennel Club

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We are told about Caravaggio's dog August who is a dark red fox terrier breed. This specific breed was very popular in the 1900's. The fox terrier was created in the 1900s from varieties of British terriers. We are told that Caravaggio got a dog because his wife Giannetta told him to because he doesn't work well with others so a dog would be better.

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Ambrose succumbs to natural causes in Marmora, his mind slipping away from him. He sits in an emptied room, only the wooden floor surrounding him. Clara sits with him in his final days as his mind unravels and his web of deceit falls apart.

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man lies in an empty room, close to death

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Patrick learns of Clara's location and takes a nap.

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Patrick learns of Clara's location and takes a nap.

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After the ordeal at the waterworks, Patrick is awakened by Hana, who is now sixteen. He then answers a phone call from Clara, who tells him that she is at Marmora and asks him to come pick her up. Before leaving Toronto with Hana to get Clara, Patrick decides to take a nap.

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The political climate at the time of Patricks release in 1938.

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The political climate at the time of Patricks release in 1938.

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Patrick was released from prison in 1938, going back to Toronto. He discovers how the political climate and fashion has changed over the years. In the 1930's fascism began to rise with many fascist protests. In Toronto, a man named Adrien Arcand delivered a "Hitler" style rant, with anti-facist people protesting against him. He was trying to bring together groups of fascist groups. He formed the Parti National Social Chrétien (PNSC), and they all wore blue shirts with a swastika included. He very much wanted to be Hitler, using every moment to talk about how much he hated Jewish people. The PNSC claimed they had over 100,000 members, while it's actually estimated they only had 1500 to 1800 members. This wasn't the only fascist group; many groups were thoughout other provinces and cities in Ontario. Patrick might have seen these groups around Toronto after his release. https://www.tvo.org/article/canada-goose-stepping-when-the-canadian-fuhrer-brought-his-blueshirts-to-toronto

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Patrick's attempt to blow up the Purification Plant

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Patrick's attempt to blow up the Purification Plant

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Patrick and Caravaggio plan one of the biggest heists they have ever committed: blowing up the Purification Plant. Patrick swims in through one of the intake pipes to infiltrate the plant unseen. He takes dynamite charges with him, laying them out when inside, eventually reaching Harris's office. After injuring himself while planting charges, and tiring himself out from navigating the plant, he falls asleep in Harris's office, failing to blow the plant up.

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1935 archive photo of an officer and his board of "communist literature" seized during Red Squad raids. 

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In 1938, after Patrick leaves prison, he mentions the 'Red Squads' who intercept mail and teargas political meetings.

In WW2-era Canada, the Red Scare (the fear that communists would overthrow democracy) led to the creation of Red Squads. Red Squads were groups of police whose jobs were to counter labour unions, communists, and socialists. They broke up (sometimes by means of violence) any meeting or activities they viewed as dangerous. In one year, the RCMP investigated around 70,000 citizens. Working class immigrants were the most affected by the Red Scare due to their suspected connections to unions and communism. In SOAL, working class immigrants hold revolutionary beliefs and are clearly impacted by the Red Squads.

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Patrick discusses the working class with Harris

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Patrick discusses the working class with Harris

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The conversation between Patrick and Harris happened on July 7th 1938. During the same year, the government cut funding to unemployment relief camps without providing additional employment. In Vancouver, unemployed men began to protest the decision but were met with the Vancouver Mounted Police. The protest turned extremely violent, earning the name 'Bloody Sunday'.

Link to article: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bloody-sunday#:~:text=Bloody%20Sunday%20was%20a%20violent,known%20as%20%22Bloody%20Sunday%22.

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Bloody Sunday was a violent confrontation between protesters and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Vancouver police in Vancouver on Sunday 19 June 1938.…

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Patrick and Hana set off to collect Clara

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Patrick and Hana set off to collect Clara

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During this ride Patrick is not just physically travelling but also travelling through his internal emotions. This ride is full of tension and anticipation, showing the growing connection between Patrick and Hana. His arrival at Clara shows a pivotal moment which shows Patricks own journey of understanding of his role in her life and in the world.

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Caravaggio is depicted as a charismaric thief who specializes in stealing paintings.

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Caravaggio is depicted as a charismaric thief who specializes in stealing paintings.

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Caravagio is introduced as a displeased tarrer who devolves into a life of crime and petty theft. Caravaggio excells at thievery, due to his "train[ing]... in unlit rooms, dismantling the legs of a kitchen tables, unscrewing the backs of radios and the bottoms of toaster" as well as his amazing "sense of the world around [him]" (Ondaatje 189). Caravaggio's wit and determination lead him to a life of (mostly) successful robberies until his eventual capture and detention in the Kingston Penetentiary. The real world Caravaggio shares similarities to the fictional one through their involvement in art, Caravaggio from the book is an art thief; and Caravaggio "The Master Of Light" was an incredible artist known for his detailed paintings and mastery of the use of light to create depth in paintings.

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Water works and other public buildings were heavily guarded

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Water works and other public buildings were heavily guarded

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Due to workers unionizing, the city had cracked down on security -going so far as to get police and military involved- most people, especially Harris, seem paranoid of people bringing the city down; Harris even goes as far as to sleep in the water filtration plant with a gun because "the Goths could have captured Rome by destroying the aqueducts". The security force frequents the water plant and rotates as if it were a well-oiled machine, "when the last shift left the water filtration plant the police and the army move in to guard it.". Harris even goes so far as to prevent the military from entering into the building at night.

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Patrick successfully enters the heavily guarded building but fails to detonate the dynamite

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Patrick successfully enters the heavily guarded building but fails to detonate the dynamite

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Patrick is able to successfully get past the guards that are scattered all around the premise of the building. On

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A water treatment plant being guarded by guards

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When Patrick gets released from prison, he returns to Toronto. Specifically, he returns to the Macedonian community where he lived.

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Alice Gull's death was hinted at before the torching of the Muskoka Hotel. Patrick mutters "Alice.... He breathes out a dead name." The passage directly alludes to her death without revealing the cause. Later in the book, Patrick reveals to the audience along with Harris the details of her passing. Patrick rejects Harris's idea that an anarchist killed her revealing that Patrick might be more responsible than he appears along with the fact that he claimed to have known how to disarm the bomb. He exclaims that "someone gave her the wrong bag." And that she was carrying "dynamite with a timing device." Patrick had not made it in time to disable it so it set off. The bomb had likely blown through her waist as the narrator states "Alice bent over, holding her ribs.

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Caravaggio goes back to Toronto and meets Gianetta at her borther's house.

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Caravaggio goes back to Toronto and meets Gianetta at her borther's house.

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Once he goes to meet Gianetta at his brother-in-law’s house, Caravaggio and Gianetta both fall about the house, breaking dishes, getting cut, and generally causing a mess while having sex. This scene demonstrates the parallels between Caravaggio the character and Caravaggio the Baroque painter. Caravaggio, the artist, was known for his debauchery. He was known for his heterodox sexuality; for example, being intimate with prostitutes. SOAL's Caravaggio is shown to be similarly wild.

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After Caravaggio escapes prison he ran through the township of Bath broke into a clothing store. He took a train to Trenton and walked to "Redick's Sash and Door Factory" where he met Alfred who he asked to find him turpentine to was the paint off.

Caravaggio ran North of Lake Ontario, along the Trent canal system, and as far North as Bobcaygeon. Caravaggio explores in a canoe and meets Anne. Later he falls asleep in one of the cottages and dreams about his first theft, breaks his ankle, ends up in the mushroom factory and meets Giannetta.

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Upon breaking into Harris's office, Patrick confronts Harris about how he should be ashamed for spending more money than all his employees' earnings collectively. Patrick also argues back how Harris never fought, but rather "those who built the intake tunnels" (Ondaatje 236) did.

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Patrick seeks revenge on the wealthy and attempts to burn down the Muskoka Hotel.

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Patrick seeks revenge on the wealthy and attempts to burn down the Muskoka Hotel.

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Patrick’s grief over Alice’s death consumed him, he struggled to process it and got overwhelmed with sorrow, so he turned to revenge, fixating on those who were responsible, which were the rich. The Muskoka Hotel is kind of a symbol of wealth and status, which was probably influenced by the area's historic resorts, possibly a reference to luxurious hotels that have been there since the late 1800s and In the book it seemed as, the luxury location served as a symbol of economic inequality.

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Patrick seeks revenge on the wealthy and attempts to burn down the Muskoka Hotel.

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Patrick seeks revenge on the wealthy and attempts to burn down the Muskoka Hotel.

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Patrick’s grief over Alice’s death consumed him, he struggled to process it and got overwhelmed with sorrow, so he turned to revenge, fixating on those who were responsible, which were the rich. The Muskoka Hotel is kind of a symbol of wealth and status, which was probably influenced by the area's historic resorts, possibly a reference to luxurious hotels that have been there since the late 1800s and In the book it seemed as, the luxury location served as a symbol of economic inequality.

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In the 1890s many Macedonian immigrants migrated to Canada for new work and a better life. Many moved to large city's such as Toronto and went into the construction/ heavy machinery carriers.

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Ambrose finally passes away to natural causes after a period of time. Before doing so Ambrose finally tells Clara the hidden details about him such as his financial affairs and situations with women.

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Macedonian Immigrant Community & Identity 

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Macedonian Immigrant Community & Identity 

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Attached is a video from the Canadian Macedonian Heritage Society. This serves as a background for some common interests or motives of Macedonian immigrants in Canada. For example, it discusses how Macedonians would find places to celebrate their culture, similar to the waterworks. In addition, they would fundraise to build churches and the like. Finally, they discuss the difficulty second generation immigrants have in choosing between homeland and adopted homeland.

Linked below is the Society's "Macedonian Immigration to Canada" page.

https://macedonianhistory.ca/news/immigration.html

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While infiltrating the Purification Palace, Patrick quickly remarks about King Solomon's Mines. King Solomon's Mines is a book written by H. Rider Haggard in 1885. Patrick was most likely drawing parallels between the extravagant and wasteful excess in the water treatment plant and King Solomon's Mines carved deep within the living rock and full of gold, diamonds, and ivory. Although excess is being scorned here, one could also connect the desire to build and live on through great monuments to The Epic of Gilgamesh, in that this is the only way to be immortalized.

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Macedonian Contribution to Toronto's Growth

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Macedonian Contribution to Toronto's Growth

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Patrick's adjustment to Macedonian culture in In the Skin of a Lion gives meaning to the Macedonian immigrants who were the ones who built much of Toronto's infrastructure in the early 20th century. The most obvious example is the Prince Edward Viaduct, completed in 1918. The bridge was a major advancement, bridging the gap between the east and west sides of Toronto and allowing the city to expand. The building of such infrastructure depended much on Macedonian and other Eastern European immigrants.

These immigrant workers often took on the most dangerous and physically demanding jobs, such as tunneling and bridge-building. The work was dangerous—without modern safety regulations, workers faced injuries and even death. Despite their critical contributions, they were paid low wages and faced significant discrimination from mainstream society, being labeled as outsiders and treated as expendable labor.

The various ethnic communities also contributed significantly to the cultural landscape of Toronto. Immigrant Macedonians formed close-knit neighborhoods that maintained their customs, supported each other, and survived within a network of social resources; their culture is still evident within precincts such as the Danforth.