Chapters 10-14

1. Maria’s Changing Relationships as a Result of Her Mother’s Death in Maria Campbell’s Halfbreed (1973) Chapters 10-14

2. Chapter 13 • Maria’s relationships with many people change as a result of her mother’s death • Her brothers and sisters • Her father • Other Half-breeds

3. Maria and her siblings • Theme consistent with the other works we’ve studied: Provision as a symbol of motherhood • Maria steps in as “mother” to her younger brothers and sisters. She provides for them emotionally and materially. • Quits school to work • Maria is young and should be going to school which is what her parents wanted but someone must provide for her family

4. Maria and her siblings Cont’d • Enters horse jumping contest • Karen “went on and on [about Smoky], but I was too excited about my fifty dollars to pay any attention. I had not told Dad what I was doing that day, thinking I would surprise him with the money I knew I could win” (113). • Talks about her siblings in a protective and loving way (p.106-7)

5. Maria and her Father • “I told him I was a Campbell, not a Dubuque and if Mom was a lady then why did she run off with him? I had never talked back before, much less yelled at him. He slapped my face and knocked me over a chair, and when he went to slap me again, I said, ‘You’re not so hot. You’re living with that woman when you should be married to her, so don’t tell me what’s right and wrong.’ He got a hurt look on his face and walked out. My relationship with Dad changed after that, and we had many more fights. We seemed to drift apart and our closeness was gone. I disobeyed his rules whenever I wanted to and fought back when he got angry with me” (116-7).

6. Maria and her Father Cont’d • Significance: • Maria is growing up (too?) quickly as she gets to know Smoky. • She is becoming rebellious, rash, irrational, disobedient • Her mother’s strength had kept the family close-knit and together • Beginning of tension between Maria and her father

7. Maria as a “Halfbreed” • Maria becomes disillusioned to her “Halfbreed” identity • Movie portrayal of Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont • “The Halfbreeds were made to look like such fools that it left you wondering how they ever organized a rebellion... Everyone around us was laughing hysterically, including Halfbreeds, but Cheechum walked out in disgust. Many years later I saw the movie again and it made me realize that it’s not wonder my people are so fucked up” (111). • Halfbreeds were laughing at a demeaning representation of themselves. It upsets Maria as she finds differences between herself and other Halfbreeds

8. Maria as a “Halfbreed” Cont’d • Mr. Grey’s eldest daughter • “She made jokes about hot bucks and hot squaws and talked like we were animals in the barnyard. I despised that woman, but because I needed the money I kept my mouth shut and pretended it didn’t bother me” (108). • Maria must sit back and let her Caucasian employer give an inaccurate and insensitive representation of Indians because she is desperate for money. • Theme with other works this year: Binary representation from different perspectives. • Animalistic and uncivilized vs. civilized

9. Maria as a “Halfbreed” Cont’d • Maria fears her current life for her future • “when I thought of [Smoky] and marriage I saw only shacks, kids, no food, and both of us fighting. I saw myself with my head down and Smoky drunk. I loved my people so much and missed them if I couldn’t see them often. I felt alive when I went to their parties, and I overflowed with happiness when we would all sit down and share a meal, yet I hated all of it as much as I loved it” (117). • Representations of Halfbreeds imply common problems of abuse, alcoholism and poverty. • Maria both hates and embraces her Halfbreed identity and culture.

10. Chapter 14 • Stress and responsibility of providing for family and the desire to keep her family together • Maria’s stubbornness • White-Halfbreed tension • Desperation and helplessness

11. Maria’s Stubbornness • “But I refused to have anything to do with the Church, saying that if it would not take my mother, it would never be good enough for me. The wedding and reception and dance would all have to be held in the school, and instead of the priest, I wanted the Anglican minister who had come to Momma’s funeral. … Everyone was upset, but I didn’t care. I felt that our people forgot the slaps they got from the Church too easily. I was only concerned with getting married as fast as I could, before Darrel changed his mind about the prospects of inheriting six children” (120).

12. Maria’s Stubborness Cont’d • First look at Maria’s stubbornness and determination that would change her character and influence her future • Maria actions are affected by the treatment of her family in the past • Mother wasn’t accepted by the Church

13. White-Halfbreed Tension • “Darrel’s sisters came and were upset when the saw I wasn’t white, and were horrified with the ‘drunken Breeds’ at the reception. Cheechum was heart-broken; she refused to come when she heard Darrel was white, saying nothing good ever comes from a mixed marriage. She had hoped that Smoky and I would marry, and if she had still been living with us we probably would have” (121).

14. White-Halfbreed Tension • Maria’s love for Smoky is overlooked out of her feeling of responsibility • Maria is lacking a strong female presence (Cheechum or Mother) • Neither the Halfbreeds or Caucasians want the mixed marriage

15. Maria’s Desperation and Helplessness • “That day a friend looked after Lisa while I drove home to the house I grew up in. Dad had moved back there after we lost the children. I told him that I felt responsible for what had happened to the kids and said I was leaving and would never come back. He held me close and said not to blame myself, that it was not my fault because he had failed me more” (124).

16. Maria’s Desperation and Helplessness • Maria’s guilt and shame of not being able to protect her family. They are taken away after all of her efforts of keeping them together. • Unable to provide. Provision = motherhood • Moves to the big city for a fresh-start with Darrel who is an abusive husband. Maria feels she has no choice but to go with him.