Conflict In The Rez Sisters

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In The Rez Sisters by Cree playwright Tomson Highway, the family road trip promotes each woman’s understanding of their relationships by creating an environment for personal growth and discovery. The road trip, with the help of Nanabush, helps reconnect the sisters and strengthen their bond so they are prepared for Marie-Adele's death. The inter-family conflicts show how the sisters encourage each other to be better people, survive the struggles of living on the rez, and support each other through hard times. The sister's fights are usually underlined with their desires to make each other into better people. The sisters are connected by their pursuit a better life causing them to push each other towards their goals. When Emily gets herself The sisters band together to raise funds for their road trip to the “BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” (1125) distracting them from their fighting. “[T]he women start their fundraising activities with a vengeance” (1143) each of them using their individual skills as well as pairing up to maximise all of their efforts. The ladies use this fundraising frenzy to distract themselves from the “crazy” (1115) life on the rez where there are “[n]o jobs[, and] nothing to do but drink and - forget about [their] Nanabush” (1115). Only Marie-Adele and Zhaboonigan know the truth that Nanabush is back and having “a holiday” (1143) messing with the girls fundraising activities. The sisters finally raise enough money to get to Toronto and “THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” (1139) and start on their road trip full of “intimate conversations” (1148). Philomena discusses the child she gave up for adoption 28 years ago with Pelajia, Annie and Marie-Adele discuss what is going to happen when she dies, Emily discusses her lost lover with Marie-Adele and Pelajia, and Zhaboonigan and Emily discuss having children. Throughout all of the discussions, each sister gives advice and support to deal with the issues most of which were caused by living on or being from the rez. This part of the road trip was influenced by Nanabush’s attack on Marie-Adele and became important The bingo game “is lit so that it looks like “The Last Supper” (1159) foreshadowing the conclusion of the play. “Marie-Adele waltz[es] romantically in the arms of the Bingo Master” (1160) who is another incarnation of Nanabush. This waltz signifies Marie-Adele's passing into the spirit world led by Nanabush who most of the sisters believe is gone forever. Nanabush helps Marie-Adele pass into the spirit world peacefully and gracefully showing how he uses his powers to support the sisters through everything in their lives. The sisters use Marie-Adele's death as a time to learn that they “gotta make the most of it while “they’re” here[,] - giv[e] it one good try” (1161) and remember how special their sisterly bond is. The sisters lean on each other for support during their time of grief. Emily takes Zhaboonigan under her wing by enlisting her to help with the store, Emily supports Annie by going to her shows where she “sing[s] back-up for Fritz” (1162), and Veronique is “cooking for Eugene and the children” (1163). Emily and Zhaboonigan formed a special bond during and after their trip. Zhaboonigan begins to feel a strong affection for Emily and Emily confides in Zhaboonigan. Each sister uses their own talents to help support one another after the death of Marie-Adele showing how they bonded throughout their road trip to Toronto. Their time at the “BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD” (1159) with the help of

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