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Responsibility In Firekeeper's Daughter

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Dylan Shang Block B June 19, 2023 Final Essay Question 11 “It only takes one person to mobilize a community and inspire change. Even if you don't feel like you have it in you, it's in you. You have to believe in yourself. People will see your vision and passion and follow you.” (Teyonah Parris) The book Firekeeper's Daughter, by Angeline Boulley emphasizes the theme of communal responsibility along with the idea that everyone has their individual part to play in service of the community. Dounis, the main character, used her own way to serve her community and inspire changes that save her community from more people being harmed by drugs. Through the story, Daunis has always known that she wanted to serve her community in as much …show more content…

She needs to think “seven generations” ahead. The importance of think “seven generations” ahead is very well shown when Daunis says that: “Maybe it’s even more important for me to be part of the investigation because I’m the only one thinking seven generations ahead.” (238) Jonsy brings Daunis to the landfill and explains that nothing can grow there because people dumped toxic waste there without thinking of future generations. This metaphorical scene underscores that, if people like Daunis don’t begin thinking generations ahead of them, they will make it much harder for others in their community to grow and flourish. Daunis and Levi and many other people carry the burdens of grief given to them by their parents and grandparents. One of the ways Daunis grows throughout this story is in her ability to let go of other people’s sadness and regret and mistakes and instead focus on how her present actions can positively impact both on her future and the future of those children younger than her. She also made growth in her self-understanding and her internal conflict on her identity as: “My whole life, I’ve been seeking validation of my identity from others. Now that it is within my reach, I realize I do not need it.” She accepts the community’s wellbeing as part of her individual

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