Motorcycles and Sweet Grass is a very rare occurrence in aboriginal literature. Most works about oppression and sadness as the aboriginal population once was. However, Drew Haydn Taylor attempts to implement humorous aspects of native culture in this novel. Taylor’s award winning novel is a strew with numerous themes, furthermore emphasized with symbols. Motorcycles and Sweet Grass by Drew Haydn Taylor expresses three major themes using numerous symbols. Lillian represents the cultural forced assimilation of Christianity and Anishwabe culture. The 300 acres of land and the quarrel between the raccoons and John represent the wrongs and reconciliation of Westernization. John symbolizes Taylor. Lillian Benojee 76 years old and a mother of nine children represents the assimilation of European influence on the aboriginal peoples. This theme is blatantly expressed through the items in her room. Close to death the old lady decorated her …show more content…
room with everything Lillian Benojee. “You know that dream catcher is supposed to go in your window, or so they say.” “They say allot of things, but that’s my dream catcher and I’ll put it where I want.”40 Lillian puts her dream catcher on her bed frame. As expressed through this quote that is the nontraditional way to place a dream catcher. Lillian has strayed from her native culture because of the influence of a European ideal. Although on a lower scale, the placement of the dream catcher represents how far she has strayed from her people’s ways. When Lillian was pulled away from her family as a child. Not only was she physically pulled away, but her ideals and culture were pulled from here. Lillian’s cultural assimilation is furthermore expressed in her personal beliefs. Many of her beliefs stray from traditional aboriginal culture, now lying in Christianity. Maggie inquires whether or no Lillian legitimately believes in both Christianity and Anishwabe culture. “Enough I guess. I remember when I was young, I was taught that we all lived on the back of a giant turtle. Didn’t much believe that then or now. Then I was taught this stuff. The earth was created in seven days. 41 Long ago, before Lillian was sent to residential school, she believed in the great turtle. She believed the culture of anishwabe. After being assimilated she forgot all about the story of the great turtle and took genesis as her own. The language that Taylor uses is very harsh. “Then I was taught this stuff.” This language refers to her old culture to be less believable or even worse the Christianity. Although hidden under the surface Lillian represents the assimilation of Christianity. Both the land issues and John’s quarrel with the raccoons represent the wrongs of European colonizers against the indigenous peoples and the contrite that Canada currently owes. The Otter Lake Reserve is negotiating with the department of Indian Affairs to be granted 300 acres of land. Maggie ponders. “And of course, the idea of native people getting more land was an absurd concept to most non-natives. 500 years of colonization had told them you took land away from native people, you didn’t let them buy it back.” 35 This quote blatantly expresses the 500-year-old grudge between first nations and European influences. The aboriginal population was oppressed and colonized for 500 years. The aboriginal population was wronged. Further-more this land negotiation relates too contrite. The 300 acres of land is a symbol of amendment and reconciliation. Canada is giving back what European colonizers took from the aboriginal peoples. Moreover, if one were to change the unit of 300 acres to years you would find something very interesting. “After the transfer of New France to Great Britain, a Royal Proclamation was issued to establish the new administrative structure of the British North American colonies. For Aboriginal people in Canada, the 1763 Royal Proclamation is the basis for the recognition of their Aboriginal rights to lands and resources.” Aboriginal History in Canada-Government of Canada Whether intentional or not, approximately 300 years ago Native Canadians were granted the right to land and resources: which represents the acknowledgment of European wrongs. Maggie offers her dying mother Moose stew, her mother responds.
“Nah nobody knows how to cook decent moose anymore. They put all those strange spices in it. I mean who puts garlic in moose stew”40 Many spices were imported from Europe. These spices such as garlic now influence moose stew a typical Indian dish. Although garlic and other spices are not traditionally used in the stew. This represents the forced change in diet because of western colonization. A very common saying,” you are what you eat”. Raccoons have a very flexible diet. Similar to humans. Before the influence of urbanization their diet consisted of almost everything in the wild. They lived off the land. Now they eat garbage, scraps that humans leave behind, greatly straying from their original diet. The raccoons symbolize the native Canadian population. Long ago Aboriginal peoples lived the way they wanted. In peace with nature. After colonization they were forced to eat and behave as Europeans. Similar to how Humans have forced a new life style upon the
raccoons. John’s last names (Richardson, Frum, Tanner and Clayton) are all references to European colonizers, leading one to believe that he symbolizes colonization. John wronged the raccoons long ago as the Europeans wronged the native population. John capturing, cooking and consuming a raccoon ancestor. As the raccoons the aboriginal people never forgot those terrible wrongs and still suffer. John later in the book surrenders to the raccoons and apologizes to the raccoons with showers of junk food such as bacon and sweets. This symbolizes the contrite that Western society felt towards the aboriginal populous. John’s actions and tendencies symbolizes the author himself; Drew Haydn Taylor. Taylor and John/Nana bush reflect each other in many ways; exhibited through physical locations, forms of teaching and randomness. Maggie and John converse over a late night picnic. “No kidding. I have been all across this country. A couple of times. From ocean, to ocean, to way past that thing called the border.”176 Similar to john, Taylor has visited over 17 countries across the world. Teaching at the university of Michigan to LuneBurg in Germany Drew has taught all over the world. Furthermore, many of his books are set in a plethora of countries. Such as Cree in the Caribbean and the Night wanderer. Maggie contemplates the validity of cultural figures when her mind wanders to nana bush. “To her Nana bush was a charming and inventive character from Native mythology. A symbol. A teaching Tool.”214 Like Taylor, Nana bush/john is a teacher of native culture. Although Nanabush being more involved in the culture itself they both serve the same purpose. Wayne Informs Virgil of some of the tendencies of Nana bush. “Tricksters have the ability to change their shape, Virgil.” 201 This quote is an allegory of teaching methods. Nana bush know as a teacher and trickster in native mythology has taught in many different ways. Ranging from skinny dipping to creating earth with some furry creatures. This is very similar as to how Taylor describes himself. A contemporary story teller. Taylor informs his audience of native culture through several forms such as stand-up comedy, literature and film. Drew Haydn Taylor has experienced and accomplished many things, similar to Nana bush. Taylor’s numerous fields of work in literacy represent John’s flexibility in living and his ability to do almost anything. Prior to John’s departure Virgil inquires as to what john will do next. “John/Nana Bush or whatever you want to call yourself, what’s next? Whatever I want. That’s what I do.” 326 John being older than the start of time has done and experienced almost everything with no intention of doing any specific things. Taylor, although not being as old as time excels and works in many different areas of literacy and in no specific order. With over 70 playwrights and experienced as a journalist, columnist, short story writer, television scripter, even works in 17 native centered documentaries. Drew’s only intention is to convey stories in any form as John’s intention is everything. Both intentions very vague. As if a math equation, the aspect that connects the two, is lines. Both random never linear, never predictable. No equation no concrete pattern. Scattered. Their Randomness makes them alike. During Mr. Taylor’s visit to RSGC Wang asked if the blue bandana meant anything. Taylor elaborated that 33 % of symbolism and themes are intentional 33 % random and 33 % mixed. The blue bandanna was indeed random, deeper meaning yet to be uncovered. Whether intentional or not multipole themes and symbols such as Mr. Taylor and John, Lillian and cultural assimilation and land issues within the Otter Lake, can be found in the novel Motorcycles and Sweet Grass.
The poem “We’re not trucking around” (2003) by Samuel Wagan Watson presents the important idea about the marginalization of Aboriginal culture and the idea that Aboriginals do not try to mimic the ‘Invaders’. These ideas represent an aboriginal perspective on Australian national identity which explores the marginalization of aboriginal culture and the mistreatment of Aboriginals in Australia. Watson reinforces his arguments with poetic techniques including the creation of an atmosphere, use of dialect and empathy. The composer uses roads and, in particular, trucks as examples of his ideas.
The book Motorcycles and Sweetgrass by Drew Hayden Taylor is considered by many that it is one of the best Native American book ever made. This novel shows how people have to adapt to modern day living while still being like their ancestors. These characters are trying to stay true to the indigenous way. John uses dancing to maintain Ojibway tradition. Maggie eats things like Italian food and she needs someone like John to help her believe in Ojibway beliefs and tradition. Wayne uses a twist on martial arts and isolating himself on an island to live like his ancestors. In the Novel Motorcycles and Sweetgrass, John, Maggie, and Wayne all try to maintain their Aboriginal roots while adapting to modern day life.
Before we look at whether James Moloney effectively uses characterisation to convey Aboriginal issues we must look at the issues themselves. In Dougy, the issue of black and white prejudice is strongly present in the plot. The stereotyping of Aborigines and white Europeans play an important role in the events and the outcome of the story, as is individuality and the breaking of the stereotypes. The book also touches on the old Aboriginal superstitions that are still believed in by some today, though one of such superstitions plays an important role in creating the mood of the resolution. These issues impact most heavily on the character Gracey.
In All the Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy reveals the limitations of a romantic ideology in the real world. Through his protagonist, John Grady Cole, the author offers three main examples of a man’s attempt to live a romantic life in the face of hostile reality: a failed relationship with an unattainable woman; a romantic and outdated relationship with nature; and an idealistic decision to live as an old-fashioned cowboy in an increasingly modern world. In his compassionate description of John Grady, McCarthy seems to endorse these romantic ideals. At the same time, the author makes clear the harsh reality and disappointments of John Grady’s chosen way of life.
The symbols in The Things They Carried range from a pair of stockings from a soldier's girlfriend to tranquilizers. Some of the soldiers carried many items while other soldiers only carried a few items. The soldiers carried items such as letters, photographs, pebbles, stockings, tranquilizers, and drugs.
Animals are often used by authors of novels and short stories as literary symbols. In "Greenleaf," a short story by Flannery O'Connor, a bull is used to represent Jesus Christ. O'Connor does this according to how the bull looks, how it is rejected, and how it seems to offer grace to Mrs. May.
The Nebraskan prairies are beautiful and picturesque and set the scene for a memorable story. Big farm houses and windmills placed throughout the graceful flowing golden yellow grass become a nostalgic aspect of Jim as he leaves his childhood life behind. The frontier includes destructive and depressing winters and luscious summers that affect Jim's family and the immigrants. The gloominess of winter and the suicide of Mr. Shimerda provide memories that associate Jim's recollections with nature's seasons. The Christmas season provided faith to persevere through winter and the exchanging of gifts made happy memories, which Jim could not experience if snow darkness did not exist. The summers were most unforgettable though. The smoldering sun and fertile land made growing crops easy. The immigrants references of roads lined with sunflowers as opportunity inspired Jim to appreciate the splendor and bountifulness of the land. Later Jim encounters these pathways, now concealed because of erosion, remembering that "this was the road over which Antonia and I came when we got off the train . . . the feelings of that night had been so near that I could reach out and touch them with my hand. For Antonia and me, this had been the road of Destiny" (Cather237).
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy may seem like an ordinary tale of a young man and his heroic Western journey but in reality, it is a complex web of the actions and reactions of characters, specifically the actions of the women in John Grady Cole’s life and his reactions to them. His actions can be directly tied to a decision that one of the female characters in the story has made. Their roles directly affected the path he took throughout the story, suggesting that this is not just a coincidence but moreover a correlating sequence of events. As a Western novel, the plot development that women principally dictate John Grady’s fate is unusual, yet important to his character and the story’s events.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “Young Goodman Brown” Hawthorne conveys to readers a seemingly highly religious Puritan town. However, this town appears to be holding a devious truth. Throughout his work Hawthorne utilizes symbolism to convey the corrupt and evil truth behind the otherwise highly religious Puritan town. Through his main symbol usage of Faith’s pink ribbons, Faith’s name and appearances throughout the story, and the woods in which the story is set, readers see the façade slowly fade through the story and reveal the truth about the town.
This essay is about the some of the several themes found in the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The three symbols that will be talked about are, how the tree by the Radley house symbolizes Boo Radley’s kindness and longing for friendship. How Tim Johnson symbolizes Atticus’ fight against racism. And, how mockingbirds symbolize peace and innocence.
The majority of frank people concur that we do not read many first-rate books in school; it is infrequent that the thirty students in a class like the book they are analyzing. Erudite teachers ponder whether or not Divergent is an appropriate read for Community Unit School District 200 high school students. It is important to keep the book as a part of the Sophomore English curriculum, in order to further the students’ education.
Throughout both ‘Rainbow’s End’ and ‘The Rabbits’, the audience discovers the plights that the Aboriginal Australians faced, due to discrimination and assimilation, in intensely confronting, yet intensely meaningful ways. We see how the discrimination and forced assimilation of cultures was common in the lead up to modern times because of composers like Harrison, Marsden and Tan reminding us of these events, allowing us to discover and rediscover our past wrongs through their works, in order to pave the way for a brighter, harmonious future. Without these documentations and retellings of events such as these, history would repeat itself, conflicts would be more apparent and we as a species would not be able to thrive and prosper due to our prejudices and superiority complexes.
“All the Pretty Horses”, a novel written by Cormac McCarthy tells the tale about a man and his friend travelling the plains of Mexico after leaving their homes in Texas. As the novel’s name alludes to, horses are a central theme in the story as they represent manhood and freedom when John Grady, the protagonist, and his friend Rawlins get thrown in jail. McCarthy’s novel became critically-acclaimed which gained him more recognition, as well as a movie adaptation directed by Billy Bob Thornton. Even though Thornton’s adaption has the basics of the novel’s story it does not appropriately grasps its depth. While Thornton’s version stays faithful to the dialogue from the book’s included scenes it does fall short by having an erratic pace, having
Zak, Michele. "The Grass Is Singing: A Little Novel about the Emotions." Short Story Criticism. Ed. Thomas Votteler. New York: Gale Research Inc., 1986. 206.