Essay proposal on Borders
The middle space in the story is an interesting place in which the family belongs. This space is where the mother claims her identity. This is the reservation. The mother accepted this and would not give up her identity and declare herself American or Canadian. It seems the boy was either not understanding or in denial of what was happening as his focus throughout was on food. The daughter in the story had a great desire to leave the reservation, but then reconsidered returning to the end of the story. This essay will analyze what brought the mother to hold true to her roots and declare herself anything other than Blackfoot, and why it was that the boy refused to acknowledge what was happening. This essay will also examine the role of the girl in the story.
Literature Review
Native Americans are often forced to claim themselves as American . The requirement for identity as an American is not a new concept as Natives were forced to adopt the ways of the white people and deny their own culture in early America. If they refused, as the mother did in this story, there were serious repercussions . The way in which children react to this conflict is much different than how adults react . Often times, the way in which a child reacts to situations they do not understand is determined by the pride instilled in him or her at an early age, and by the way in which the parent reacts.
Introduction and Thesis statement
Review of the boy’s actions throughout the story
Discussion of why the mother and the boy chose to act the way they did
Discussion of the daughter’s role in the story
Conclusion
Works Cited
Churchill, Irene. "Differences in the Identity Formation Process of Ameican Indian Adolescents in Urban and Reservation Contexts." Morris Undergraduate Journal 1.3 (2014). <http://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/horizons/vol1/iss1/3/>.
The Blackfeet. 1993. <http://www.trailtribes.org/greatfalls/all-my-relations.htm>.
Thorn, David. Being American. n.d. <http://www.littlewolf.us/nativeidentity.html>.
Trusler, Cheri. Evolving Identity. 2016. <http://digitalcommons.morris.umn.edu/horizons/vol1/iss1/3/>.
