STUDY RESOURCE GUIDE For New Canadians Monkey Beach By Eden Robinson This Resource Guide is made available by the National Reading Campaign and sponsored by the Counselling Foundation of Canada. This guide is available to use and reproduce free of charge. www.nationalreadingcampaign.ca 1 Join Us Resource Guide for Monkey Beach By: Eden Robinson Written by: Natalie Junyk Introduction Monkey Beach is a coming of age novel written by Aboriginal writer Eden Robinson. Lisa, the protagonist, travels along the Pacific Coast to meet her parents who are searching for her brother who was lost at sea. Throughout her journey, Lisa recounts her childhood and the events that led up to the point where she decides to reunite with her family. She recalls the teachings of her grandmother Ma-­‐Ma-­‐oo, her memories of fishing with her Uncle Mick, and many other tribulations of a young Haisla female growing up in a coastal town in British Columbia. Through her characters, Robinson provides the reader with a perspective on growing up in a small Aboriginal community in Canada. She provides a glimpse into native spirituality and a perspective on the struggles that many Aboriginals face from centuries of marginalization and mistreatment. Many of Lisa’s peers suffer with alcoholism and experience abuse and violence. Lisa struggles to accept her identity through her accounts of her childhood experiences in the novel. Eden Robinson was born in Kitimat, British Columbia. She attended the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. Her first book, Traplines (1995), was a collection of four short stories. Her second book, Monkey Beach (2000), was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Governor General's Literary Award, and received the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. Before Reading 1. Where is “Monkey Beach”? Where is Kitimat, Namu, Bella Bella, and Vancouver? Find the locations on a map. 2. What is a B’gwus/Sasquatch? How is it connected to the Native culture? 3. Describe a vivid memory from your childhood. How did it change your perspective on the world? 4. What are residential schools? How did these schools effect the Native population in Canada? 5. Why is the crow an important symbol for Native spirituality? 6. What do you know about the Haisla people? How did their villages evolve in the 20th century? 7. What is a flashback? How do authors utilize this literary device in literature? 2 During Reading 1. As you read the novel, make a list of Aboriginal words that Lisa uses 2. The B’gwus is a recurring image in the novel. Describe Lisa’s experience with the B’gwus, and how it is connected to her perception of spirituality, culture, and the world. 3. Why is the oolichan so important to the Haisla people? Why was it important to Lisa? How did fishing contribute to Lisa’s relationship with Mick and Ma-­‐Ma-­‐oo? 4. Lisa and Jimmy are siblings raised in the same household. Contrast their personalities and goals. Why do you think they are so different? 5. Why is Lisa afraid and irritated by the “little man?” How does she banish him? Does she regret his banishment? 6. How is Lisa related to Tab? How does their relationship evolve throughout the story? How does Tab’s sudden exit from Kitimat effect Lisa? 7. Why do you think Lisa is first intrigued by Frank? How do they become friends? 8. Describe Lisa’s relationship with Mick? Why is this relationship so formative for Lisa? How did it contribute to her maturity and her depression? 9. Ma-­‐Ma-­‐Oo is like a mother figure for Lisa. Why are the circumstances of her death ironic? Why do you think she leaves Lisa her fortune? 10. What prompts Lisa to run away to Vancouver? Why does she do when she is there? What prompts her to return home? What does she discover about herself? 11. Who is “Karaoke?” Why does she play such an integral role in the novel? 12. What happens to Lisa at the end of the novel? Does she survive? Is the ending meant to communicate a larger message about the story? Explain. After Reading 1. Eden Robinson was inspired by the narratives of Edgar Allen Poe. How would you describe the structure of a Poe narrative? How is it similar to Robinson’s narrative? 2. Robinson grew up in the coastal town of Kitimat, British Columbia where the story took place. What are some key events from her life that are reflected in the novel? 3. Alcoholism is a significant social issue amongst Native populations. How does the author portray the issue within the Kitimat community? How does it affect Lisa, her brother and Mick? Why do you think certain characters avoid alcohol all together? 4. What were the effects of residential schools on the Mick and Aunt Trudy? What were the effects on the larger community? How is it an integral part of the story? 5. As Lisa matures she becomes more aware and experiences violence in her immediate family, and community. How did her experiences affect her self-­‐worth and her relationships? 6. Why is it ironic that the ending of the novel is connected with a boat? What does the boat symbolize? What does the water symbolize? 7. The narration in this novel continually moves between past and present. How did this impact your reading experience? Did you enjoy this kind of narration? Why? Why not? 3 Activities 1. Food was an integral aspect of Lisa’s culture. Research recipes that are indigenous to the Haisla population. Compile a recipe portfolio which combines some of the meals described in the novel, along with new recipes from your research. 2. How many Aboriginal children were enrolled in residential schools? What happened to most of the children who attended? Compile an informational website or poster outlining key facts about residential schools. 3. Through her teachings, Ma-­‐Ma-­‐oo described a close connection to nature which was a key element of Aboriginal culture. In an editorial, describe how these connections can be used to help encourage society to have more respect for the environment. 4. How is prejudice displayed in the novel? How do the main characters justify the racism they experience? Why? Create a public service announcement about prejudice towards the Aboriginal community. 5. Aboriginal stories are used to explain natural phenomena and to help to provide context for life situations. Which stories/legends are mentioned in the novel? Research a few of these stories, and explain how they act as allegories within the novel. 6. Many characters in the novel abuse drugs and alcohol. Research the extent of these addictions in Canada. Create a brochure on community supports available to help individuals afflicted with these addictions. Additional Resources Books: Hayden Taylor, Drew. Toronto at Dreamer’s Rock. Toronto: Fifth House Books, 1990. Robinson, Eden. Traplines. Toronto: Knopf Canada, 2005. Wagamese, Richard. Keeper ‘n’ Me. Toronto: Doubleday, 2006. Websites Haisla – A First Nation http://haisla.ca/ Where are the Children? Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools http://wherearethechildren.ca/en First Nations Profiles and Interactive Map http://fnpim-­‐cippn.aandc-­‐aadnc.gc.ca/index-­‐eng.asp Here to Help: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Information http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/ National Film Board. “Aboriginal Films – Bella Bella by: Barbara Greene.” https://www.nfb.ca/film/bella_bella 4