Friday 30 December 2011

The Rez Sisters: Character Profile of Marie-Adele Starblanket

            The “Rez Sisters” was first performed as a play in 1986, written by Native North American playwright Tomson Highway, and has received much attention and high praise by many critics for its unique representation of life on an aboriginal reservation. In attempt to “show and celebrate what funky folk Canada's Indian people really are” and educate the public of the reality of life on “the rez”, Highway entertains audiences through his exuberant, heartfelt, humorous story of seven women all related through birth or marriage, known as the “Rez Sisters”. Highway tells the story of these women’s travels to partake in the BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD, and takes an in depth look at each women’s life and their relationships with each other. Loved for its range of vivid characters, “The Rez Sisters” portrays a broad spectrum of native women and makes light of native stereotypes through satire. Audiences enjoy the genuine characters portrayed by Highway, from the hard working, driven Pelajia, to the tough Emily, and the kind Marie-Adele Starblanket. The play discusses various aspects of the character of Marie-Adele and through the facts and subtext of the play, the audience is able to draw conclusions about her physical description, background and personal history, thoughts, emotions, values, her opinions of others, surroundings, and speech.
            Marie-Adele Starblanket is a family oriented woman that cares deeply about her husband Eugene, and their fourteen children. Unfortunately, Marie-Adele is battling with the life threatening disease of cancer. However, despite this dreadful and incredibly fatiguing illness, Marie-Adele carries herself as a very strong woman until her final breath. Marie-Adele also demonstrates her strength through her attitude, as although she is terrified of the effect of her disease, she attempts to stay her optimistic, humorous, driven self.
            Marie-Adele is a 39 year old middle aged woman that has a weakening physical state, as she is plagued with the crippling disease of cancer. Her walk has a sense of purpose, as the audience would imagine that in her everyday life she would be a very busy woman with no time to waste; having 14 kids and a husband that drinks away the family’s savings. A strong woman with purpose, Marie-Adele however, would experience spouts of weakness with too much physical exertion, due to her illness, where she would almost collapse, reeling with pain. Also due to her illness, she would experience a reduced physical strength, lose of weight and would be experiencing fatigue, common for cancer patients. All these aspects would affect the way she carried herself, sat, and stood; sitting and standing comfortably, and slouching at times due to her fatigue. She would be very sure of herself and dignified, yet slightly passive, as she is a confident, yet laid back character. As for Marie-Adele’s hand gestures, they would be casual for the most part, but pronounced and forward when necessary. Her voice may be described as, similar to her walk, purposeful; she talks with reason, but is not forceful or loud. She can be seen wearing comfortable clothing, such as jeans and a plaid shirt, which reflects her sense of work, and simple outlook on life. Marie-Adele’s illness would have an impact on her physicality, however she strived to stay her strong, yet easy going self.
            Marie-Adele Starblanket was born from aboriginal Cree descent on the Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve (referred to by residents as "Wasy"), Manitoulin Island, Ontario, which she currently lives on. She was born into a large, less fortunate family, with low financial status in the late 1940’s.  Living on the reservation, Marie-Adele as a child, would have received a simple education through interaction with her family and others on the reserve; different from the curriculum in the general public school system in Canada. Her education would be spiritually oriented and would consist of learning about aboriginal history, culture, language, and community values. History would repeat itself, as following the trend of her family, Marie-Adele had a low financial state and many children; living with the 14 of them and her alcoholic husband Eugene, her job consisted of taking care of her family to the best of her ability. Although she loved her family, Marie-Adele was an ambitious individual that longed for a higher standard of living and better life; the reason why she strived to raise money through exhausting work to participate in THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD.
            Marie-Adele Starblanket is a kind, caring, easy going woman that chooses her battles and stands up for herself and what she believes in. She is a very passionate and giving individual, which is displayed in her monologue concerning what she would do if she won THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD. She discusses how she would buy an island for just herself, Eugene, and their 14 Starblanket children; her objectives in the play being to take care of her dysfunctional family, and rise above her surroundings, creating a better environment for her loved ones. She attempts to achieve this by partaking in THE BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD. She also displays her love for her family when she expresses her concern of what will happen to them if she was to pass away due to her cancer. Family is a very important value to her and she plays the archetype of a gentle caregiver. She continuously gives to her family, asking for nothing in return, despite her deathly condition.   Marie-Adele, although not the chattiest of the Rez Sisters, is an extrovert that enjoys spending time with her fellow sisters, socializing, and catching up on the latest news. She also has an interest in and largely enjoys playing bingo with her sisters. Marie-Adele is not only caring of her immediate family, but also her fellow sisters; she protects them, and cares about their well being. For example, when Veronique St. Pierre quips that Emily Dictionary was seen coming out of Big Joey’s house, Marie-Adele responds “Veronique St. Pierre, what Emily Dictionary does is Emily’s business,” (Highway 29). Also, when Marie-Adele notices Emily Dictionary has a black eye she says concerned “Emily. Your Eye,” (Highway 38). When Emily gets defensive about it, Marie-Adele pleads “Emily, please,” (Highway 38). However, Marie-Adele doesn’t always get along with her sisters. During a large argument between them, Marie-Adele at first doesn’t partake in the fight, but when her name is brought into it, she fights back, spitting insults at her sisters. This is an example of how Marie-Adele is innately respectful, considerate and passive, until it is necessary for her to stand up for herself, in which she may get aggressive with her speech. Marie-Adele’s values are composed of her family, her Rez Sisters, happiness, enjoyment, optimism, love, respect, devotion, and unity, as she believes all of these are important in simply enjoying life, loving and being with your family and friends. Marie-Adele has been going through a difficult time in her life though, due to her battle with cancer. Her mental state revolves around this disease and although she tries to stay strong and be brave for her family, her emotional state is largely affected as well. She is constantly captivated by thoughts of the how this disease is affecting her life, such as no longer being able to be intimate with her husband, how her family would survive without her, and the idea of death itself. Marie-Adele, although attempting to stay courageous for her family and rarely discussing her illness, is constantly thinking of this dreadful disease and what effect it will have on her life, and more importantly her family’s lives.
            Marie-Adele Starblanket is a kind, caring, easy going woman with a simple outlook on enjoying life, and the strong value of loving your family and friends. She is a social character that gets along with others, generally avoiding conflict, but chooses her battles when necessary. Suffering from the lethal disease of cancer, Marie-Adele strives to be brave and strong for her family, yet is haunted by the thought of what will happen to them when she passes, displaying her selfless quality. The play discusses various aspects of the character of Marie-Adele and through the facts and subtext of the play, the audience is able to draw conclusions about her physical description, background and personal history, thoughts, emotions, values, her opinions of others, surroundings, and speech. Marie-Adele is a pivotal character in the play that assists in Highways goal to “show and celebrate what funky folk Canada's Indian people really are” and to entertain audiences through his exuberant, heartfelt, humorous story.

1 comment:

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