Indigenous people are traditionally known for their strong connection to their land, culture, and community. However, in the novel In Search Of April Raintree written by Beatrice Monsioner, this reality is challenged. Beatrice Monsioner shows how big of a negative impact society has on Indigenous peoples through this novel. Two sisters April and Cheryl Raintree have been faced with brutal experiences of victimization. Their lives have been turned upside down for who they are and because of this April had chosen to leave her identity behind for something society would accept. While Cheryl went strong with her deep ties to her culture and people but at the end they had come to realize the truth.…
Throughout the novel Stand Tall by Joan Bauer, the protagonist, Tree, demonstrates he is perseverant through all of the hardships he faces. For instance, when Tree is left home alone with his disabled grandpa during the flood grandpa says, “‘Call your dad’… No answer ‘Call the neighbors we’ll find somebody’… ‘I’m gonna call the police, Grandpa. Tell them we need a ride’ He punched 911. Circuits busy” (141). Clearly this indicates, that Tree is incredibly tenacious during this hardship. Tree is left home alone with his grandpa, who only has one leg, during a flood not knowing what to do. His grandpa helps guide him but Tree courageously takes over. Therefore, Tree does not easily surrender. He continuously perserveres through the hardship. Even…
Growing up is one of life’s greatest adventures with no definite time span. Finding individual identity is a never ending journey, but discoveries are made along the way. The characters in Linda Sue Park’s A Single Shard and Grace Lin’s The Year of the Dog explore the world around them and find themselves in the process. The contrasting characters come from different time periods, family dynamics, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic status, but they share a common objective; searching for their purpose in life and discovering their personal identity along the way.…
“You can run but you can’t hide”. This is something many are told throughout their lives and it comes with great truth. One can’t run from who they are because at some point it will catch up. Throughout the Novel and Television show In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier and Supernatural written by Robert Singer respectively the theme of denial is very prevalent. It is seen through the misfortune of April, Sam and Dean, the misfortune others around them face and the outcome of them facing themselves; that running away from who you are never works. When one runs from who or what they are it ends in the misfortune of themselves and others.…
Cheryl and April got separated and placed in different foster homes. Cheryl went to live with the MacAdams family and April went to live with the Dions. Both families were very kind to the girls and they progressed rapidly. At the end of the chapter, Mrs. Dion gets sick so April must be moved to a new foster home.…
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.…
In the text “A Long Walk to Water”, by Linda Sue Park, there are many themes that are developing as we read. Some of these themes are abandonment, poverty, loneliness, etc. we will explore how these themes have developed thus far in the novel.…
Elizabeth Strout’s novel, Olive Kitteridge, is filled with stories about the lives of regular people in Crosby, Maine. Throughout the stories, different characters are faced with adversity they are forced to deal with. While some handle their problems well and are able to cope with their hardships, others, even those with good intensions, do not find a happy ending. The story “Tulips” encapsulates the a recurring theme of the book; life is uncertain and takes us down roads upon which we had never imagined ourselves having to travel, and while these obstacles may very in their severity, it is how one is able to cope with their individual adversity that will ultimately determine their happiness.…
Alcohol abuse creates unhealthy situations and also brings out a defiant side in many individuals. April Raintree, the protagonist in the novel In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier, challenges the adverse effects of alcoholism; however, Mosionier proposes that hope can be found in situations where alcohol is abused. Alcoholism has destructive effects on families and the inner-workings of the familial relationships, but overcoming these hardships allows opportunity for individual growth.…
The book In Search of April Raintree, by Beatrice Culleton Mosionier, is about the trials and tribulations of two sisters growing up in the foster system. The author writes about these two young sisters and writes about the struggles in their lives. She talks about the social system, stereotypes, drug, alcohol abuse, and the girls on-going battle to fit in with society to become ‘normal’.…
Ingrid has a daughter named Astrid. Astrid in the novel is introduced as the protagonist her mother is a poet. They both live in Los Angeles.…
C.S lewis once said “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny” In life people experience hardships and ,difficult times much like Chris Mccandless ,between the chaos of it all were supposed to remember who we are,but what if we did not know? Into the wild by Jon Krakauer develops the idea that In order to find ourselves we must lose ourselves.Chris Mccandless had different virtues,he saw recklessness as bravery,believed in adventure and self discovery, And he also strongly believed things held people back from encountering life from every aspect.…
All But My Life is a memoir about a young Jewish girl, Gerda Weissmann, who was able to endure the hardships of World War II and the Holocaust. Gerda went through and saw more horrific things in the matter of a few years than any of us will ever have to face in our lifetimes. The fact that a girl this young and hopeless can withstand so much pain but yet contain so much strength should be an inspiration to all. Reading this book really opened my eyes to what the world can bring. After reading Gerda’s journey, I will never again complain of times being tough or depressing in my life. This book really meant a lot to me for that very reason. It is amazing that no matter what Gerda had to face in those years she would constantly be looking forward. Regardless of the circumstances she pushed forward and longed for the time that it would all be over.…
The article, “A Home at the end of Google Maps” by David Kushner, is an article i can unexpectedly relate with. The article talks about a boy who lost his family at a young age, and was then was adopted after various events by an Australian family. After twenty years, decided that he needed to know who he really was, and so started the search to find his family. Parallel to this point, from a young age i never knew what i wanted to be, i continuously pushed aside the decision of career options, until December where i started my research. The article shows that true happiness can only be achieved once understanding one’s self. This can be proved as Saroo finally gained true happiness after finding his family, and how I finally found happiness…
“It seems that to find the real path we have to go off the path we are on now, even for an instant, and earn the privilege of losing our way. As the path fades, we are forced to take a good look at the life in which we actually find ourselves.” This thought from the author and poet David Whyte brings up important concepts about our lives. Sometimes taking a step back and observing our own nature is all we need in order to better understand ourselves and where we are going. However, it seems that along this path we spend far more time worrying and fretting about our fears than what it required to confront them and deal with them.…