April Raintree - Paper

April Raintree written by Beatrice Culleton is an inspiring story set during mid to late 20th century about two Métis sisters who struggled against social prejudice. As they grew up through many hardships trying to uncover their unique identity in society, the two sisters discovered the world in two entirely different perspectives. Though they planned to stay together as they grew up, the changing personalities in addition to the distinct beliefs about their Métis heritage separated them not only from society but from each other as well. However in the end, the story’s tragic, yet surprising ending disclosed the death of one of the sisters. The novel April Raintree exhibits how the communication barrier and social beliefs of the two sisters lead to the suicide of Cheryl Raintree by means of April’s irresponsible actions, Cheryl’s choice to hide her feelings as well as their negative stereotypic beliefs about aboriginal heritage.
As April grew up to be more independent, she became over protective of her sister which led the two sisters to become more and more distant and finally lead to the death of Cheryl. April who was a self reserved person hid a lot of things about life from her younger sibling. “I thought that now was the time I should tell Cheryl what I already knew about our parents. They were liars, weaklings, and drunkards that all the time we were growing up, there was a more important reason for them to live and that was their booze. But no, I couldn’t do that to Cheryl. I couldn’t tell her that alcohol was more important to our parents that their own daughters. I had given her cherished memories of them. I couldn’t take that away now.” (Culleton 93) Even though Cheryl was responsible and mature enough to learn the truth about her parents, April still chose to hide it. She did it to protect her sister from being hurt. Nevertheless, this only destroyed the bond between the two sisters. April did not think about how her sister would feel when she finally