The Marrow Thieves takes place in an environment that forces children to fend for their lives. This story is about the Native American community being hunted for their bone marrow that allows people to dream. In a world like this, children are forced to grow up far faster than they are today. Frenchie, the main character in the novel, undergoes copious amounts of growth throughout the book. After traveling alone for a while, Frenchie finds himself among other indigenous people, but his first thoughts are, “ [s]obs rocked me, open and closed, until I was fetal. I was embarrassed to be so broken in front of all these new Indians” (Dimaline 17). Frenchie reacts here as a small child who has been placed in violent, terrifying circumstances. However, because of those circumstances the growth Frenchie achieves by the end of the novel is remarkable.
Frenchie discovers a kid named Derrick who seems to be interested in Rose, the girl Frenchie cares for. He takes note that his braid is a bit longer than Derrick’s, which is shown to be a sign of strength. As Rose is rebraiding Frenchie’s hair he thinks to himself, “[m]uch better than a stupid ponytail like some people. I felt real nishin” (166). However, as much as Frenchie values his hair he doesn’t even think twice when it comes time to cut it off. After losing a staple member of the family they’d formed, Frenchie cuts off his own hair with little to no doubt or hesitation. “I picked up the scissors when she put them down and cut my own braid off to send with Minerva” (212). This shows a selflessness in Frenchie that wasn’t there at the beginning of the novel and is a direct effect of the environment he has been living in for the past few years.
When coming across an electric fence just before their family leader is about to test its electricity, Frenchie courageously does it himself for the sake of the group (57). Through this experience he learns that everyone is equal among their family and they all serve a purpose. He shows bravery and humbleness that he was lacking in the beginning of the novel. After finally reconnecting with his father who he hasn’t seen in a long time, Frenchie understands that family doesn’t necessarily mean blood relation. He chooses to head north with Rose, leaving his father behind (217). In the beginning of the novel, Frenchie would’ve given anything to be with his father again, which showcases the weight of Frenchie’s choice to leave him. Again, all of these developments within Frenchie demonstrate that the circumstances in which he has been brought up in, have affected his character greatly.
I totally agree with you that Frenchie goes through the most noticeable character development throughout the book. He does grow to be more selfless and become a more well-rounded person. In his blood family, he was the youngest however in the family he found, he is one of the oldest. He really learns how to be an older brother to the twins and especially RiRi when she needed him. Even when he was excited to finally sleep next to Rose at the abandoned hotel, when RiRi asks to sleep with them he still welcomes her onto the bed and puts his feelings aside.
ReplyDeleteWhen Frenchie had touched the electric fence to protect Miig because he believed that Miig was too important to die and that Frenchie would be a better choice. He believed that Miig was one man that the group genuinely couldn't lose because all of them relied on him. I believe the selflessness is most represented here because the whole group including him fights to live everyday and the fact Frenchie was willing to risk that for his adopted family really shows his growth and care he has for his family.