Lieutenant Breech Character Analysis in Three Day Road

An officer in the Canadian Army during World War I and part of Xavier and Elijah’s unit. The men in Xavier and Elijah’s unit refer to Lieutenant Breech as “Bastard Breech,” as he is exceedingly unpleasant and racist. He scolds Xavier on the ship on the way to Europe when Xavier is forced to kill two wounded and suffering horses. “You will never become an officer,” Breech says to Xavier. Breech claims that Xavier and Elijah’s “Indian blood” is “closer to that of an animal than that of a man,” and he frequently sends them out ahead of the unit to scout for danger before sending in the other soldiers. He repeatedly refuses to give Elijah and Xavier credit for their kills as snipers because they are Indians and can’t be trusted. Lieutenant Breech makes Elijah and Xavier miserable for much of the war, and Elijah later kills Breech by clubbing him over the head when Breech finds out that Elijah has been scalping his kills and is addicted to morphine. Lieutenant Breech represents the widespread racism and hostility that Indigenous people must endure in broader society.

Lieutenant Breech Character Timeline in Three Day Road

The timeline below shows where the character Lieutenant Breech appears in Three Day Road. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...him to stand still. Xavier can tell that McCaan doesn’t want to yell, but Lieutenant Breech, whom the men call “Bastard Breech,” stands watching. Breech gives the order, and the men... (full context)

...dead and wounded are carted off by stretcher, McCaan again orders the platoon to march. Breech will be waiting outside of town with another unit. “Tiny fucker wants us to march... (full context)

...at.” In the dark, Xavier feels like he and Elijah “are owls or wolves,” and Breech says it is because their “Indian blood” makes them “closer to that of an animal... (full context)

...want to take Xavier—but he must. Elijah prefers to patrol at night alone; however, if Breech finds out, he will surely court-martial him. (full context)

The next day, Breech orders Elijah and Xavier to go on a raid with Thompson, Grey Eyes, and Gilberto.... (full context)

By the time Elijah returns with Breech and McCaan, Xavier is smeared with blood and the horses are dead. “My God!” Breech... (full context)

Back in the Canadian trenches, Elijah finds Breech to report their kills. “Was an officer there to verify?” Breech asks. Elijah confirmed there... (full context)

McCaan and Breech come into the trench to address the soldiers. “An important announcement, gentlemen,” McCaan says. They... (full context)

...and I will translate.” Elijah and Xavier report to McCaan’s dugout where he waits with Breech. “Private Bird’s English is very poor, sir,” Elijah says. “You will need me to translate.”... (full context)

Breech asks Elijah if Xavier understands that the punishment for desertion is death by firing squad.... (full context)

“The private has not been himself since our offensive,” Elijah tells Breech. He says Xavier took “a tremendous blow to the head” and has been “nauseous” and... (full context)

...advancing, including McCaan, Graves, Grey Eyes, and Thompson, who has just returned from the hospital. Breech orders Thompson to scout ahead with Elijah and Xavier and report back to him in... (full context)

...for years, it seems”) subsides. The Germans appear to have retreated, and Xavier arrives with Breech and the rest of the unit. Suddenly, a German soldier wearing a rag around his... (full context)

...in the head. Xavier quickly moves back to the trenches and reports McCaan’s death to Breech. By dark, Elijah and Thompson still haven’t returned. (full context)

At the front line, Xavier and Elijah are told to report to Breech’s dugout. When they arrive, Grey Eyes is sitting with his head down. “This private brings... (full context)

“He acts out of jealousy and fear,” Elijah says to Breech of Grey Eyes. “And jealousy is what prompts you to threaten to court-martial me for... (full context)

...Eyes’s head. “We’ve got to get the lieutenant to a medic,” Xavier says looking at Breech’s body nearby. “Are you kidding?” Elijah asks. “The little prick knows everything.” Elijah stands over... (full context)