ipl-logo

Monkey Beach By Eden Robinson

818 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Cultural identity

The concept of cultural identity has become increasingly important in our globalized world. Indigenous cultures across the globe have been especially vulnerable to erasure, colonization, and marginalization. As such, there has been a growing movement towards reclaiming and asserting Indigenous cultural identity. In Eden Robinson's novel Monkey Beach, language and storytelling hold a significant place in the reclamation and assertion of Indigenous cultural identity.
Robinson's work highlights the importance of Indigenous language in safeguarding cultural identity. Lisa Marie Hill, a member of the Haisla Nation in British Columbia, is on a journey to discover the mysteries of her heritage. The Haisla language connects her to her culture on a …show more content…

They enable her to connect with her ancestors and understand their struggles, as well as give her a sense of continuity and belonging. Furthermore, Robinson's representation of the value of storytelling emphasizes the need for Indigenous people to express their own tales and have control over how their culture is portrayed in mainstream media. Therefore, the key question is: How does Monkey Beach's use of Haisla language and storytelling traditions challenge dominant cultural narratives and contribute to a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultural identity and resilience?
In the novel, Challenging Aesthetics: The Politics of Universalism, the author, David Kootnikoff states that despite historical situations that have attempted to eradicate it, Monkey Beach presents the Haisla culture as strong and persistent. Lisa, the protagonist, is depicted to be rediscovering her language and reuniting with her ancestors, demonstrating a revival of Indigenous identity. However, the settler environment in which it is occurring tempers this resurgence, as the balance of power over the land remains with the settler state …show more content…

Readers are asked to interact with and appreciate the complexity and diversity of Indigenous cultures through the novel's evocative depictions of Haisla language and cultural practices, as well as the characters' experiences and views. The novel also addresses the ongoing legacies of colonialism and systemic oppression that have impacted Indigenous communities, highlighting the ways in which cultural identity and traditions have been threatened and undermined, while also affirming Indigenous people's resilience and strength in the face of these

Show More
Related
1195 Words | 5 Pages

This shows how Indigenous people try to be strong through the hardships they go through but colonizers still manage to change a part of them and that affects future

Read More
648 Words | 3 Pages

The objective of Story is to remind indigenous youth to grow by being given specific information in crucial periods in time of North American Indigenous history, and having the duty of passing on those stories to others when they reach adulthood. Cherie Dimaline employs oral history to relate the storyline to real-life events. “ We suffered there. We almost lost our languages. Many lost their innocence, their laughter, their lives.

Read More
1802 Words | 8 Pages

Tracey Lindberg’s novel Birdie is narratively constructed in a contorting and poetic manner yet illustrates the seriousness of violence experience by Indigenous females. The novel is about a young Cree woman Bernice Meetoos (Birdie) recalling her devasting past and visionary journey to places she has lived and the search for home and family. Lindberg captures Bernice’s internal therapeutic journey to recover from childhood traumas of incest, sexual abuse, and social dysfunctions. She also presents Bernice’s self-determination to achieve a standard of good health and well-being. The narrative presents Bernice for the most part lying in bed and reflecting on her dark life in the form of dreams.

Read More
1412 Words | 6 Pages

In the novel, Boyden concentrates on representing the indigenous identity of the protagonists of the novels through following the tradition

Read More
787 Words | 4 Pages

Beth Brant’s journey through Writing as Witness is to reclaim power, particularly that which she perceives in relation to langauge and words. "I hope to convey the message that words are sacred," she says, establishing her perception of what the power words entails through emphasis on tribalography and reclaiming tribal culture and history. The power of language to shape our perceptions of other people is immense. Precise use of terms in regards to race and gender can have a significant impact on demystifying many misperceptions. Power of word also relates to identity, and when Brant speaks about her sexual identity and Mohawk heritage, she ultimately reclaims power, particularly the power of word is* it is understand from her perspective

Read More
2156 Words | 9 Pages

Within the narrative, the author shows the significance of preserving one's Indigenous heritage while simultaneously embracing the transformative power of change. These dynamics are brought to life, showcasing the challenges and conflicts in these relationships. In one scene, the characters express their exasperation, with one remarking, “‘He’s such a tool.’ ‘Yeah. There’s always one in the family.’”

Read More
1434 Words | 6 Pages

Monkey Beach is an adaptation of “Queen of the North,” both written by Eden Robinson. The texts both touch on the theme of intergenerational trauma within Indigenous communities. Through the lens of different main characters, however, Monkey Beach approaches the topic differently through its portrayal of the transmission of trauma. In “Queen of the North,” the transmission of intergenerational trauma is most clearly seen through Josh reenacting trauma onto Adelaine. In contrast, as a novel, Monkey Beach offers a more nuanced depiction of the methods of intergenerational trauma transmission, such as the loss of Lisamarie's cultural identity.

Read More
497 Words | 2 Pages

Indigenous voices and narratives have long been overlooked and marginalized in mainstream media while new and authentic Indigenous texts present a powerful means of representation and communication of Indigenous voices and culture. Indigenous Peoples in Canada have a rich cultural heritage with diverse languages and traditions. However, their experiences and perspectives are often misrepresented in Western media. Indigenous media, such as the documentary "Reel Indian," the poem "I lost my talk" by Rita Joe, and the novel "Lost in Space" by Drew Hayden Taylor, serve as crucial tools for representation, expression, and political and social commentary among Indigenous Peoples in Canada. These texts challenge misrepresentations, share cultural experiences, and break stereotypes.

Read More
925 Words | 4 Pages

The acclaimed Canadian author Joseph Boyden is often praised for providing an insightful look into Indigenous culture and history through his debut, Three Day Road. While the novel does explore the haunting memories of an Indigenous soldier, it also tackles concepts about storytelling and the power of words. Consequently, this essay investigates the question; How does Joseph Boyden use literary devices and narrative structure in Three Day Road to illustrate the power of stories and language? The novel serves as an examination of the power of words and the different roles they play in communication,

Read More
1104 Words | 5 Pages

Eden Robinson’s Monkey beach is set in the small, coastal village of Kitamaat in western B.C., home to the province’s Haisla community. Robinson’s characterization of a Haisla family living in present day Kitamaat exposes the challenges that are faced by the Aboriginal people conserving their traditions, values and social mores under the dominating influence of Canada’s West Cost society. She frames these concerns by following the struggles of Lisamarie (Lisa) Hill as she reconciles the ideologies of her modern Canadian upbringing with the often-discordant beliefs of her First Nation heritage, which becomes more complicated by the experience of the supernatural appearances that only Lisa can see. Lisa’s relationship with the spirit world allows her to transgress the history of abuse and reconnect with her heritage, however, she must struggle with North American ideologies which consider the supernatural as flawed. With the help of Ma-ma-oo (Lisa’s grandmother) she begins to gain control within the spirt world, thus re-connecting with her heritage.

Read More
1014 Words | 5 Pages

This perspective is created to push readers to take a deeper look at their understanding of the history of colonization, allowing the author to restore the dominant narrative of the arrival of Europeans and ultimately decolonize the story. Johnson does a great job using the past to humorously retell a story that still has significant impact on the FNMI community to this day. Comparably, “Home isn’t Home” utilizes the perspective of a young Indigenous woman to share its story.

Read More
905 Words | 4 Pages

Language is essential to influence perceptions of individual and collective identity, shaping our individual assumptions about ourselves and other cultural groups. The poems “Oombulgarri”, “Unearth” and “Leaves” from the anthology “Inside My Mother” (2015) by Ali Cobby Eckermann, encourage responders to explore her connection with the natural world and her indigenous culture, to disrupt or affirm perspectives of themselves and those around them. Ultimately, through the use of language devices, her poems reveal the impact of dispossession of country, perceptions of culture and memory and changing relationships around us which influence our outlook on life. Eckermann’s use of poetic form in “Oombulgarri” invites responders to reflect upon Indigenous

Read More
728 Words | 3 Pages

The poem My Mother The Land by Phill Moncrieff poetically describes the struggles the aboriginal people faced at the hands of the European people and colonisation throughout history. The fact that the author based the poem on accurate historical events adds to the authenticity of representations and engages the reader in an emotional journey with the struggles the aboriginal people faced with the somewhat loss of their country, culture, identity, people and place. The author uses a variety of language features and text structures to create this view point, for instance the author uses several language features and text structures throughout verse one to demonstrate the loss of culture and people. The poet uses effective language features throughout the poem to describe the loss that the narrator feels in their country, culture, identity, people

Read More
1283 Words | 6 Pages

The indigenous people are literally crashing into the buildings produced by the colonizing culture, “Look out! Bob shouts. There are Indians flying into the skyscrapers and falling on the sidewalk.” (King 63) and it adequately represents the lack of adaptability of the Native Canadians. Thomas King taps again into the effects of colonialism and notions the indigenous people as uneducated and an untamed species.

Read More
1394 Words | 6 Pages

Though, this piece could not be published as it is deemed controversial. But for Cheryl, she knows it by heart, and it outlines the problem both the Metis and Indian people are going through. On the other hand, April despises her Metis culture and heritage. “‘… so anything to do with the Indians, I despised’” (40). April dreams of living similarly to a white person.

Read More

More about Monkey Beach By Eden Robinson

Related Topics

Open Document