This work explores how Indigenous literature, particularly "The Marrow Thieves" by Métis author Cherie Dimaline, responds to environmental destruction and climate change. Set in a dystopian near-future Canada devastated by ecological collapse, the novel follows a group of Indigenous characters fleeing from settlers who harvest their bone marrow, believed to be the cure for a mysterious illness that prevents non-Indigenous people from dreaming.
The novel critiques ongoing colonial violence and its connection to environmental exploitation, highlighting how Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected by both. Through its characters and story, "The Marrow Thieves" shows the resilience of Indigenous peoples and the importance of traditional knowledge in surviving ecological crises. It challenges dominant ideas of development and progress, instead emphasizing the deep, interdependent relationship between humans and the natural world.
This analysis uses eco-criticism and postcolonial theory to explore how Dimaline's novel exposes the roots of environmental collapse in colonial history and calls for a rethinking of our relationship with the environment, one guided by Indigenous perspectives and values.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Literary Review of The Marrow Thieves
- Theoretical Framework
- Ecocriticism and its Offshoots
- Trans-corporeality
- An Ecocritical Reading of The Marrow Thieves
- Exposing the Myth of Development
- Trans-corporeality in The Marrow Thieves
- Land and Water that Matter
- Animals that Matter
- Dreams that Matter
- Discussion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes Cherie Dimaline's *The Marrow Thieves* through an ecocritical lens, exploring its depiction of environmental exploitation and its impact on Indigenous communities. The main objective is to examine how the novel challenges the discourse of development and how it portrays the concept of trans-corporeality. The analysis will draw upon ecocriticism, postcolonialism, and the nonhuman turn. * The impact of colonialism and environmental crises on Indigenous communities. * The relationship between environmental exploitation and the discourse of development. * The concept of trans-corporeality and its representation in the novel. * The significance of dreams as a metaphorical representation of Indigenous culture and connection to the land. * The novel's engagement with settler readers and its potential for fostering understanding and change.Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the context for the analysis by highlighting the devastating effects of extractive industries and climate change on the environment, particularly on Indigenous communities. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of human and nonhuman worlds and the urgent need to address these issues. The chapter introduces *The Marrow Thieves* as a case study, highlighting its depiction of an apocalyptic future where environmental degradation has led to a pandemic of dreamlessness affecting the non-Indigenous population. The chapter concludes by outlining the research questions that the paper will explore, specifically how the novel challenges the discourse of development and addresses the concept of trans-corporeality. 2. Literary Review of The Marrow Thieves: This chapter reviews existing critical scholarship on *The Marrow Thieves*, focusing on interpretations that explore themes of kinship, water, Métis identity, temporality, and decolonization. The chapter notes a gap in the existing scholarship regarding the novel's materialization of dreams and its implications for understanding trans-corporeality. It emphasizes the importance of considering Dimaline's intended audience—both Indigenous youth and settler Canadian readers—and the author's explicit intention to promote understanding of Canada's troubled history and empower readers to effect change. 3. Theoretical Framework: This chapter lays out the theoretical foundation for the analysis. It introduces ecocriticism and its intersections with postcolonialism, along with Stacy Alaimo's concept of trans-corporeality. The chapter establishes these theoretical frameworks as essential tools for analyzing human/nonhuman relationships within the historical context of colonial power structures. The inclusion of postcolonial ecocriticism allows for a deeper understanding of the intertwined impacts of colonialism and environmental destruction on Indigenous populations. The framework provides a lens through which to examine the novel's representation of these complex interrelationships. 4. An Ecocritical Reading of The Marrow Thieves: This chapter presents an ecocritical reading of *The Marrow Thieves*, exploring how the novel exposes the myth of development and portrays trans-corporeality. The chapter analyzes the representation of land, water, animals, and dreams, demonstrating how these elements reflect the interconnectedness of human and nonhuman worlds. It likely examines how the novel's portrayal of an apocalyptic future resulting from environmental destruction serves as a critique of colonial practices and their devastating consequences. The chapter is likely to delve deeply into the metaphorical significance of the dreamlessness pandemic and its connection to the loss of Indigenous cultural practices and connection to the land. 5. Discussion: This section will likely synthesize the findings from the previous chapters, furthering the analysis of *The Marrow Thieves* within the established theoretical framework. It could explore the implications of the novel's themes for understanding the relationship between colonialism, environmental degradation, and Indigenous resilience.Keywords
Ecocriticism, Postcolonialism, Trans-corporeality, Indigenous Literature, *The Marrow Thieves*, Cherie Dimaline, Colonialism, Environmental Degradation, Climate Change, Dreamlessness, Métis Identity, Reconciliation, Development Discourse.
Frequently asked questions about the Language Preview
What is the main subject of this language preview?
This language preview focuses on an ecocritical analysis of Cherie Dimaline's *The Marrow Thieves*, exploring themes of environmental exploitation and its impact on Indigenous communities.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis of *The Marrow Thieves*?
The key themes include the impact of colonialism and environmental crises on Indigenous communities, the relationship between environmental exploitation and the discourse of development, the concept of trans-corporeality, the significance of dreams, and the novel's engagement with settler readers.
What is the objective of the analysis?
The main objective is to examine how *The Marrow Thieves* challenges the discourse of development and how it portrays the concept of trans-corporeality.
What theoretical frameworks are used in the analysis?
The analysis draws upon ecocriticism, postcolonialism, and the nonhuman turn, particularly Stacy Alaimo's concept of trans-corporeality.
What does the "Introduction" chapter cover?
The Introduction establishes the context by highlighting the effects of extractive industries and climate change on Indigenous communities. It introduces *The Marrow Thieves* as a case study and outlines the research questions.
What does the "Literary Review of The Marrow Thieves" chapter discuss?
This chapter reviews existing critical scholarship on *The Marrow Thieves*, focusing on themes of kinship, water, Métis identity, temporality, and decolonization. It identifies gaps in existing scholarship and emphasizes Dimaline's intentions for her audience.
What is the purpose of the "Theoretical Framework" chapter?
This chapter lays out the theoretical foundation for the analysis, introducing ecocriticism, postcolonialism, and trans-corporeality.
What is analyzed in the "An Ecocritical Reading of The Marrow Thieves" chapter?
This chapter presents an ecocritical reading of the novel, exploring how it exposes the myth of development and portrays trans-corporeality through the representation of land, water, animals, and dreams.
What is the likely focus of the "Discussion" chapter?
This section will likely synthesize the findings from previous chapters, further analyzing *The Marrow Thieves* within the established theoretical framework and exploring its implications for understanding colonialism, environmental degradation, and Indigenous resilience.
What are some of the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Ecocriticism, Postcolonialism, Trans-corporeality, Indigenous Literature, *The Marrow Thieves*, Cherie Dimaline, Colonialism, Environmental Degradation, Climate Change, Dreamlessness, Métis Identity, Reconciliation, Development Discourse.
- Quote paper
- Anonymous (Author), 2023, "The Ebb and Pull of the Dream". An Ecocritical Reading of Cherie Dimaline’s "The Marrow Thieves", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1601172
