What constitutes a meaningful life? A meaningful life is something humanity strives for. A life that can be looked back on with a sense of accomplishment and content. A life that although unimaginably complex in its entirety can be summarized with a few awe-inspiring words depicting purpose. A meaningful life is a topic dealt with in the novel by Beatrice Culleton Mosionier In Search of April Raintree. The novel follows the lives of two Metis’ sisters, April and Cheryl, from their experiences growing up in foster care until their eventual reunion in Winnipeg, the city where everything started and ended for them. The novel subtly poses this question of what meaning in life looks like. So what constitutes a meaningful life? Life is different
…show more content…
Identifying with a people group provides the foundation for self-image. This foundation for self-image can be positive as it allows people to feel connected to a heritage of things such as national sports, foods, and holidays. April feels self-respect when she is introduced to White Thunderbird Woman “She had seen something in me that was special, something that was deserving of her respect… If I’d had such a grandmother when I was growing up, maybe I wouldn’t have been so mixed up” (p. 159). Conversely, this foundation for self-image can be negative if a specific person is at the receiving end of racist oppression “Being a half-breed meant being poor and dirty. It meant being weak and having to drink. It meant being ugly and stupid. It meant living off white people” (p. 47). Identifying with a religious group gives understanding and guidance through life. April notices the impact faith in God has on the Dion family. When Mrs. Dion is ill, April comforts Mr. Dion with the words “Maman says we have to trust in God’s wisdom” (p.36). In the face of her life threatening illness, Mrs. Dion comments to April “When life seems unbearable, remember there’s always a reason” (p. 36). This resolute faith provides the Dion’s with understanding and guidance in their lives. Identity affects people’s emotions. Whether it be April’s poor self-image due to her identity as Metis or Mrs. Dion’s calm confidence due to her faith, identity affects emotions. The novel, through its imagery, allows the reader to feel these emotions. “In Search of April Raintree allows non-Native people to feel what it it’s like to be Metis in an emotional way” (p. 249). Another part of life which provides meaning while affecting emotions is
Identifying with a people group provides the foundation for self-image. This foundation for self-image can be positive as it allows people to feel connected to a heritage of things such as national sports, foods, and holidays. April feels self-respect when she is introduced to White Thunderbird Woman “She had seen something in me that was special, something that was deserving of her respect… If I’d had such a grandmother when I was growing up, maybe I wouldn’t have been so mixed up” (p. 159). Conversely, this foundation for self-image can be negative if a specific person is at the receiving end of racist oppression “Being a half-breed meant being poor and dirty. It meant being weak and having to drink. It meant being ugly and stupid. It meant living off white people” (p. 47). Identifying with a religious group gives understanding and guidance through life. April notices the impact faith in God has on the Dion family. When Mrs. Dion is ill, April comforts Mr. Dion with the words “Maman says we have to trust in God’s wisdom” (p.36). In the face of her life threatening illness, Mrs. Dion comments to April “When life seems unbearable, remember there’s always a reason” (p. 36). This resolute faith provides the Dion’s with understanding and guidance in their lives. Identity affects people’s emotions. Whether it be April’s poor self-image due to her identity as Metis or Mrs. Dion’s calm confidence due to her faith, identity affects emotions. The novel, through its imagery, allows the reader to feel these emotions. “In Search of April Raintree allows non-Native people to feel what it it’s like to be Metis in an emotional way” (p. 249). Another part of life which provides meaning while affecting emotions is