"Half-Breed"

Book Review # 103633

English > Analysis
Literature > Canadian

"Half-Breed"

An analysis of the struggles of the female protagonist in maria Campbell's novel, "Half-Breed."

1,091 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The author of this paper relates that in studying women's lives in the intersection of multiple identities and communities, she has found that the the most vivid presentation of these issues comes from novels. The paper specifically focuses on Maria Campbell's novel, "Half-Breed." It describes the plot of the story and the way that Campbell portrays the struggles of the female protagonist in the plot.

From the Paper:

"It seems to me that with the intersection of multiple identities and communities that many women must juggle in their daily lives, it is important that each woman award herself the importance of her own identity, as a work in progress. It is not enough to react to a static or changing environment. In some ways, Margaret in Harriet's Daughter is an inspiration with regards to this issue, because she is always dreaming and planning the change that would be right for her. Of course, she is young and did not have to face the pressures of a violent spouse or motherhood, or even poverty. As a child, her problems were considerably less acute than Maria's. And yet it seems important to recognise that if a woman envisions herself with new standards and new expectations, then she has a better chance to see her future unfold favourably."

Sample of Sources Used:

Campbell, Maria. Half-Breed. Toronto: McClelland and Steward Limitied, 1973.
Bosra, Joan. "Towards a Politics of Location: Rethinking Marginality." Canadian Women Studies: An Introductory Reader. Ed. Andrea Medovarski and Benda Cranney. Second Edition. Toronto: INANNA Publications and Education, 2006. pp 15-23.