Significance of morphine.

The morphine is a symbol of the influence of the white man and for Elijah it becomes a temptation to be like them and possess a higher power that he was never blessed with. Morphine is invented by the white men and Elijah and Xavier only encounter it once they have entered the army. The influence of the white men grows over both Elijah and Xavier throughout their stint in the army and both become addicted to morphine. Elijah, with some pressure from Grey Eyes, first tries the morphine on the ship that is traveling to Europe. When Xavier finds that out, he knows that his friend has given in to the influence of the white man before he ever saw any fight.