One point in the novel that I found particularly touching and also directly relates to the quote is when the narrator's sister is talking about her trip to Scotland. After she left her hotel for a drive she encountered an old woman who speaks of how she has "just been away for awhile". After going into her home, the woman brings her entire family in and they begin to speak at once, "The words themselves being more important than what they conveyed" (p.164). The feeling of never having left Scotland (though she had never lived there herself, combined with the strong familial sense of belonging, though they were not, in fact, members of the same clan, was one of the most memorable moments for me. Though the sister did not know these people, she truly felt the extent of their love.

The phrase “we are all better when we are loved” is obviously a strong theme throughout the entire book but I think that it applies strongly to the different lives led by Alexander and his twin sister versus Calum and Alexander’s two other older, surviving brothers. There is not one specific passage that I can give to try and demonstrate my point, but instead, the book as it is really drives my point home. Alexander and his sister are taken in by his grandparents after his parents fall through the ice, leaving them all orphans. The grandparents really take care of them and look out for them, giving them every opportunity that they could not even give their own children, and showing them love and affection every day. Alexander’s three older brothers lived alone, with only each other, away from the care and structure of a functional household. They were far too young to be adults and yet, they were forced into the role.
The outcome of Alexander’s life, contrasted with Calum’s is where “we are all better when we are loved” strikes me. Alexander had all the love and care he could hope for, and with that came school, college and a lucrative career. Calum had lived on his own from a young age, scraping by however he could manage, and ended up in the mines, in jail and an alcoholic. Alexander was better for the love that his grandparents were able to give him every day.

"All of us are beter when were loved" is an extremely strong theme throughout the novel. This is a story about family and loyalty no matter where they are or what there doing, family always comes first. One scene that stands out to me is towards the end of the novel when Grandma and Grandpa call Alexander Macdonald to tell him that their cousin is coming from San Francisco. She says,"Although you've never seen this young man, it's like that poem your grandfather is always qouting:'Mountains divide us and the waste of seas--Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland.' I hope you remember that." This shows just how strong their bond is with each other despite how little they know him, as they say, "blood is thicker than water". They do the best they can for each other in any situation. Alex and calum's cousin needs love and that is exactly what they are giving him. They give him a place to stay, a job, food, and clothing. This is a family that would do anything for one another in any circumstance. Their family is their heart I don't think a single character in this novel could live without a relative by their side.

In my opinion, the passage that most closely conveys the theme, "All of us are better when we're loved" is in the final chapter, when Alexander accompanies Calum to Cape Breton where he will find eternal rest. Alexander mentions the fact that Calum had carried him across the ice that one fateful day when their parents died, showing that he always felt somewhat inadequate as his younger brother because he felt he was unable to do such a loyal thing for Calum. Calum suffers throughout his childhood and adulthood in ways that Alexander can only imagine. However, both brothers needs one another for different reasons, and without Alexander, Calum probably would have succumbed to a far worse lifestyle. Finally, at the end of the novel, Alexander is giving his brother the ultimate gift of peace by taking him to Cape Breton, the site where their family is most connected. Because Alexander loves Calum so much, it gives his life a significant purpose; it betters him, therefore embodying Grandma's words, "All of us are better when we're loved."

I can't choose one scene in particular that shows this theme because immediately I thought of Grandpa and Grandfather's relationship. They loved each other like brothers and this is obvious throughout the story. They seemed to always be there for each other. Each was a good balance for the other, as we discussed in class and as Grandma seemed to think. Their relationship is important, in my opinion, to this theme of being "better when we're loved" because it demonstrates that love can come from anywhere and it doesn't and shouldn't matter. That in being loved we have a connection with someone and that emotion taps into every part of our lives. It softens our soul which is what I took away from Grandfather. He was the more conservative of the two. He seemed to always be sharp and on point... never really walked with his laces loose. However, Grandpa softened his soul. In being loved we are able to love in return in as a whole I believe it enriches our lives. That is how I took the relationship between Grandpa and Grandfather. Each was a better person because they were loved.

One of the most interesting and characteristic elements of the theme "all of us are better when we're loved" in the novel were the ways in which love, affection, and betterment are all so interwoven with tragedy and death. It seems that at several pivotal moments, death seems to punctuate the love that the lives of members of the "clann Chalum Ruaidh" show one another.

One instance of this connection can be found in chapters 17 - 19, just after the death of the red-haired Alexander MacDonald in the mines. We immediately have examples of family members benefiting - the narrator receives two thoughtful and symbolic gifts from the grandfather, as well as the tartan shirt that the red-haired Alexander never wore. We also have examples of deep familial love and affection in scenes such as Calum's returns from his fight with the officer, and his reunion with Christie on the beach at Cape Breton. The family is all brought closer together, conferring love and gifts in the wake of the red-haired Alexander MacDonald's death.

Another example would be that which Megan cited above, at the end of the novel. The love between the narrator and his brother Calum is perhaps never exhibited more profoundly than in this final scene. The narrator examines what for superficial purposes are flaws with the glossing eye of love and shared history: Calum's "scar" becomes more like a badge from when his "tooth was pulled by a horse", and Calum's folly - "looking for a rainbow, while others thought he was just wasing gas" - becomes an enchanting tale. Of course, we can hardly even consider this scene outside of its context. The narrator driving Calum to Cape Breton, where all of these feelings are movingly displayed, is akin to a scene in a hospice.

This phrase "we are all better when we are loved" is extremely prevalent throughout the novel. The one scene that I think of when this quote is said is when the narrator tells Calum that he will accompany them back to the mines after the red haired Alexander MacDonald was killed. I think that this scene really shows what this quote means because it shows the love of a family and the loyalty that they possess. I think that the quote "we are all better when we are loved" connects to loyalty because this love of family causes them to be loyal. Even though the narrator didn't have to go, he loves his family and he is loyal to his blood so he goes with them. This love and loyalty is seen later when the narrator is caring for Calum and brings his back to Cape Breton at the conclusion of the novel; which is where the quote is used in the story.

I suppose it is best to post first when it comes to a blog assignment like this. My two favorite examples that illustrate this theme best have already been mentioned. That of the grandfather's and grandpa's relationship and the very end where Alex take Calum to die on the island.

I may be making a stretch here, but for the sake of not repeating anything that's been said, I would argue that the narrator's relationship with Marcel Gingras comes close to the ideal that "all of us are better when we are loved." These two men, the narrator and Marcel, don't speak the same language, yet share a connection that no other men amongst them share. They have grown closer over time, working in the mines.

At the beginning of chapter 30, "...when the life of Marcel Gingras touched mine, it seemed as if we were like gently nudging planets of perhaps helium-filled balloons. We came in contact with one another bit did not collide and although our perimeters brushed we were still deep within the private areas of our own circumferences," Alex is acknowledging that they were nothing more than passing acquaintances. However, these acquaintances become more so when Alex goes to Marcel in hopes to barrow his car. Marcel allows him to do so with no hesitation. Marcel, a comrade of Fern Picard's, did not let the friction between Calum and Fern hinder his kindness towards the McDonalds.

One of the main reason's I would say this relationship exemplifies our theme is because there's a point in the novel where Calum is walking down the sidewalk and a group of cars pull over and stop. Marcel gets out, as he recognized Calum by his walk. He is friendly and inquires about Alex, or "the book one (189)." A nickname which I find to be rather endearing(call me corny, but it's true). Not only that, but as Calum is relaying this story to Alex, he refers to Marcel as Alex's friend.

Both men still reflect fondly on their time in the mines with one another and still care and remember the time spent there. Okay, it wasn't necessarily quality time, but it seemed to me, as a reader, that both men were eased or comforted somehow by one another's company.

Like I said, it may be a stretch, but I think it's a good example of how love for man can cross cultures and really leave a lasting impression. Its a relationship that I found to be rather intriguing and we didn't discuss it much in class, but it's definitely a topic worth addressing. Particularly because the New Bretoners always felt distanced from the French-Canadians, but here is a civil relationship between the two right alongside the hostile one of Fern Picard and Calum.

This book in itself from the beginning to end asks a question about being loved. For me it felt as though it asked what is love and how many types of love can people feel and which is most important? The family ties and ties with their animals and Cape Breton are obviously the overwhelming thesis of this book. So it is hard for me to pick just one aspect of the story to comment on. I think for me though, the fact that Alexander is willing to support and nurture his alcoholic brother Calum despite the fact that protecting him and caring for him is in essence destroying him, is one of the more profound points. The story starts off by explaining how he travels every Saturday to check on his dying brother and bring him alcohol(which in essence, is his poison) seems tragically beautiful. He doesn't ever try to change his brother or convince him to become someone else. I think it comes from a recognition of his past and the clan's past. the hardship that they have endured through the years lets alexander focus on the people for who they are. His loyalty to the Chalum Ruaidh sucks him dry and brings him down, but for him, that is living an honorable and purposeful life. The author uses so many metaphors in the novel and I think when he is talking about the dogs on p. 57 he is really describing the family. "It was in those dogs to care too much and to try too hard." I think Alexander cared very much about his brother and when he brings him home to die in the end it simply shows that Alexander knows that love isn't conditional and that his brother was as much a part of him as his twin sister. His taking care of him just showed that he understood what his grandmother said about being better when we are loved.

The phrase "all of us are better when we're loved" is a theme that appears throughout the book. There is not just one particular passage where this is apparent because it can be seen in each character and in many instances. Family and culture are extremely imporant and are what this novel is based on. The aspect of Family is what this phrase is based on and how this family through all its struggles sticks together. One passage where this stands out is when Alexander McDonald dies in the mines and all of the family quits their job to return home for his funeral. This shows the bond that these characters share for one another and how they are better people for the love of their family. Also, When Alexander chooses to work with his family in the mines instead of pursuing his denistry right away is another time where this love or this ideal of family creates a better man. He did what was honorable because of the love he shares for his family and the support they provide him.

The 'love' quote is my all time favorite of this entire novel. I even went so far as to mark it up heavily in my book at the very end. I just found it so touching, and a heart wrenching way to end the novel. Throughout the novel so many different scenes could work as a great example of this quote, but the one that really stuck out was the one with the dog waiting at the light house for his family to return. With the continuos reflection on the importance of dogs throughout the novel, I really felt like this passage showed not only the love of man to animal, but animal to man. It helps to transcend to bridge between man and animal. This book relies heavily on the loyalty and usage of animals, so it would only seem logical that this quote could be the epitome of this connection, this loyal love between dogs and man.

The theme of “All of us are better when we’re loved” is prevalent throughout the entire novel. The book seems to revolve around the ties of familial loyalty. Besides a scene that has been brought up a lot during this discussion (that of Alexander driving Calum home at the novel’s end) the scene which resonates most with me is that of Calum and Alexander at the mine just before driving to pick up their cousin in Sudbury. The loyalty which bonds the family is expressed twice in the passage, first through his grandpa’s words to him while on the phone, “It’s like that poem your grandfather is always quoting: ‘mountains divide us and the waste of seas- yet the blood is strong, the heart is Highland.’ I hope you remember that”(202). Perhaps more endearing though is Calum’s complete acceptance of the task as soon as he learns the errand is important to Alexander, “Okay, it’s important to me too. Grandma used to say, ‘always look after your own blood,’ and she used to say to you and your sister, ‘if I did not believe that, where would you two be?’” (204). Calum’s response expresses that because the errand was important to Alexander it was in turn important to him as well, end of discussion. This sense of loyalty and selflessness between the two brothers is seen throughout the work (such as Alexander driving Calum home and visiting him in Toronto) and is representative of the unshakable loyalty that binds the family together.

The quote "all of us are better when we are loved" is a theme that seems to run through the entire novel. A great example of this is the relationship between the grandfather and Grandpa. Although entirely different, the two were extremely good friends that supported each other. Their friendship was not only good for both men, it helped the whole family. Their friendship reinforced bonds that were important to the family.

When I thought of a specific part of the novel where the phrase "we are always better when we are loved" is represented, the first thing that came to mind was the relationship between Alexander and his brother Calum. Calum is always better when he is loved by Alexander on his visits to him. I feel his life is a lot more miserable when he is alone in the disgusting tenant house he resides in. Alexander is his one tie to the life he used to have before everything that happened and Alexander is able to draw those memories out of him. It makes sense to me that Calum dies with Alexander by him, finally back home where he belongs. It is "better" that way than alone in his room in Toronto, where no one might find him for days.

This phrase is one of many repeated in the novel, but its importance is undeniable because it's the last line. Alexander obviously feels a certain amount of guilt because his life was made much easier than Calum's when his grandparents decided to adopt Alexander and his sister and leave the other siblings to fend for themselves. Calum, although he has been reduced to a drunkard nobody by the end of his life, did well for his family in other ways. He was the foreman of the scottish contingent at the mine, and was good enough at it to be called away at high price to set charges in a tricky blasting situation. He sent all his money home and negotiated contracts for his family members. I think, that when Alexander says "we're all better when we're loved" he's excusing himself as much as he's excusing Calum. They both dealt with separate issues and ended up where they started, Alexander privileged and Calum down and out. The important part is that they shared a past and a home, and were able to return there as brothers, this time with Alexander providing for Calum.

Throughout the novel there are several spots where Alexander's grandmother referrs to the phrase ' always look after your blood.' I think that this phrase really relates to many of the themes of family and unity throughout the story. Alexander and his sister were orphaned as children and their grandparents has no other choice than to take them in as their own. Grandmother uses this phrase and a constant reminder that they must always support and care for those that are related to you, no matter what the situation. She keep the family spirit and unity alive and uses this phrase as a reminder and a lesson, one that Alexander never forgets. This phrase ties into the phrase ' all of us are better when we are loved' because without the wisdom of the grandmother constantly teaching the lesson to stick together, non of them would have survived. Their relationships thrived and stayed alive because they all never forgot who their blood was.

Although this phrase and overall theme comes up in the novel on several different occasions, I find the last chapter to be the most profound example of what this truly means. "I turn to Calum once again. I reach for his cooling hand which lies on the seat beside him. I touch the Celtic ring. This is the man who carried me on his shoulders when I was three. Carried me across the ice from the island, but could never carry me back again... Ferry the dead. Fois do t'anam. Peace to his soul. 'All of us are better when we're loved.'" These closing lines, which tie all the pieces of this novel together, best describe the importance of family. Throughout the novel we watch as Alexander struggles with his brother's faults, mainly his alcoholism, and how although he has no desire to watch his brother waste away, he still travels a great distance to visit him. When Calum finally dies Alexander says "Peace to his soul". Where in most cases a sibling would disown their self-destructive brother, Alexander sticks by his brother until the very end, where they both "travel" back to their home. This is the true meaning of sticking by your family and Macleod was right Calum was better because of his brother's intense love.

Calem and Alexander's relationship throughout the novel best illustrates the quote in the final chapter "all of us are better when we are loved." Alexander's devotion and love towards his brother is what family is all about. It is what was passed on down to Alexander from his grandmother, "Always look after your own blood." Even after Calem was convicted of murder, Alexander stood by him until the very end. Despite the challenges that this family was faced with, they hung together.

As most of the responses thus far have noted, I think the strongest example of this theme is the contrast presented between Alexander and Calum. Where Alexander was given food, shelter, an education, and love, Calum was given the boot. From the seeds of these opportunities grew Alexander’s prosperous lifestyle, namely his lucrative career; whereas Calum ends up a miserable drunkard with no money to speak of. Obviously, MacLeod is trying to highlight this theme through these two brothers. As Megan wrote, the scene where this is best exemplified lies at the end of the novel, when Alexander drives Calum to Cape Breton so he may die at peace. Alexander notes throughout the novel that he feels guilty for not caring more for his older brother, yet here, in this scene, he is given the ultimate opportunity to express his love for Calum by returning him home literally and figuratively, and he takes it. By doing so he shows his brother his commitment and love for him, and he clearly betters Calum through this act, for he is finally able to return to his home—to the home of his family, song, and culture. Calum had played a part in loving Alexander and helping him to achieve success, “This is the man who carried me on his shoulders when I was three. Carried me across the ice from the island, but could never carry me back again”, and in the last chapter of the novel, Alexander repays him (283). I find this scene demonstrates the highpoint of this theme, the final moment of glory for it, if you will.

I found it very fitting that Alistair MacLeod ended 'No Great Mischief' with the phrase "All of us are better when we're loved." Throughout the novel the grandparents instill within all the children that they must stick with their blood. Much of the book shows the loving nature, and general respect that each MacDonald has for eachother. Heritage plays an important role in how the grandparents raise Alex, his two brothers and his sister. Alexander and Calum's relationship is especially a good example of the phrase. No matter the tension presented by the situations with his brother Alexander always seems to be there when Calum needs a helping hand. In particular I felt that the passage in which Calum loses his tooth has a strong effect on Alexander, who later becomes and orthodontist. Another phrase that caught my attention was when Alexander encounters a woman in the liquor store. Her shirt reads "Living in the past is not living up to our potential," which happens to be another important theme within the book.

I thought that the phrase, 'all of us are better when we're loved' was an important theme throughout the novel. I thought it was particularly prevalent when Alexander receives his draft notice. Calum and Sarah are very frightened for him and turn to the grandparents for aide. Their sons in Ontario will be more than willing to help out Alexander and prevent him from being drafted into the Vietnam War. I though that the quote, ‘Blood is thicker then water’ (110) was particularly powerful in relation this theme because, Alexander’s well being depends upon the actions that his relatives take to protect him. I think this relates well to the theme because it shows us as readers how family dedication and love can make things better through that love that they share.

"All of us are better when we're loved" is a prominent phrase throughout the book. It certainly holds a lot of truth for the characters in the story. It can be seen in the relationships between Calum and Alexander, as well as Grandpa and Grandfather. In Calum and Alexander's instance, they seem to have a few shaky moments that test this 'love' but they both always seem to come out on top. The time when Alexander forgets to bring the oats for Christy is one of those moments. The relationship of Grandfather and Grandpa is another example because there differences are so apparent.

One scene in particular comes to mind: Alexander's fight with his red-headed cousin. The fight and the immediate aftermath say quite a bit about the human need for love and the jelousy that results when we percieve that we aren't receiving our fair share. In a jelous rage, the cousin attacks Alexander, telling him, "They're my grandparents too, you know" (68). The intense emotion is a result of red-headed Alexander feeling a sense of injustice; the perception that his grandparents were not giving him the same amount of love given to Alexander and his sister. After the fight, it is Alexander's turn to feel jealous; while watching his cousin being comforted by his uncle, he feels the great emotional void of his parents' absence. The chapter ends with Grandpa gently scolding the boys for fighting with their own blood. "We're not here for a long time but a good time" (70). In other words, family should cherish their time together. This passage lays the foundation for the themes of love and family.

I have often come to the conclusion that love is best measured by the lengths it extends acceptance. It is easy to love what is noble and amiable in an individual. It is much more difficult to see a person with all their flaws and misgivings and not love them in spite of such flaws… but love them for those flaws, recognizing that flaws (despite their ugly hue) are nonetheless pieces to a larger puzzle of identity. Throwing away pieces of that puzzle changes its composition, stifling its image and purpose. I believe that this is one of the points which Alistair Macleod illuminated through the phrase “We are all better when we are loved”.
Throughout the novel, many of the characters are shown flawed and or broken, and loved all the more for it. A pressing example of this is the relationship between Grandma and Grandpa. Throughout this novel it is obvious to the reader that Grandpa is an alcoholic. In the text, he is never mentioned without some sort of association to alcohol. When one reads of his interactions with his wife, they might think that she is in denial over his state, refusing to acknowledge the hold the addiction has over him. After all, when he almost drowns from drunkenly falling asleep on the ice, she welcomes him home not with stern words or anger but with “a large bottle of rum and decorated it with ribbon”. (180) I see her actions not as a form of denial but instead as a form of complete acceptance. When looking at his near drowning on the ice she refuses to belittle him for being a foolish drunkard, but instead appeals to his heroism for being out on that ice in the first place, risking his life for the well-being of his grandchildren.
She loves her husband fully for everything he is and recognizes that separating this man from the bottle is like separating him from any of the other traits she loves him so dearly for. By changing one trait, she would change the man as a whole.
One of the most startling examples of this, takes place on a Christmas Eve. Grandpa goes out for some last minute Christmas shopping but returns extremely late and extremely intoxicated. He then proceeds to drunkenly slosh around for a few minutes before passing out on the floor. Instead of waking him angrily or complaining about his actions, Grandma begins to merrily decorate the sleeping figure with the leftover ornaments and finishes by taking a picture which, “After it was developed, he kept it in his wallet for years until it began to crease and fall apart the way such pictures do and then he had Grandma dig out the old negatives so that another copy might be made. I think of it now as one of those ‘joke’ pictures taken for high-school yearbooks and which, years later, seem to reveal more than was ever realized at the time”(43) Alexander’s observation of the picture suggests that Grandpa keeps the picture in his wallet not as a reminder of a funny joke but as a reminder of his wife’s love which follows him not only through his successes but also through his faults. He knows that his wife’s support has anchored him to greatness that would otherwise be unachievable. Through her love, his addiction never impedes their marriage but strengthens it. He is made better through her love because it never holds him back or deters his identity. Grandma and Grandpa believe strongly that everyone is better when they are loved because they see the power of such love in their own lives.