Discuss the role sports: what is the importance of the “all-native basketball team”?

Suggested Essay Topics
Length:
a minimum of 1000 words
Follow
MLA format exactly; refer to TCWH, Style Sheet, and other
pertinent writing handbooks/resources.
DUE DATE: August 11, 2021
Note: Secondary
source research is mandatory: what this means—you are required to find at least
1 secondary source that is a scholarly journal article/essay. Any other sources
can be of your own choosing but choose wisely.

Novel Topics:
1. Harlen Bigbear’s character is linked to
animals and the natural world. How does
Harlen’s closeness to Nature help Will find his place in the community of
Medicine River? Without Harlen, would Will be as successful coming home and
back to his culture?
2. Although Will’s father has no “real” presence
as a character in the novel, we still get to meet him indirectly—through the
letters in the mysterious chest in his mother’s closet, and through the
fabrications or stories that Will invents and tells other people to explain his
father’s absence in his life. What is
the role of fatherhood in the novel? How does the role of fatherhood aid in
Will finding a sense of purpose and direction in his quest for family and
belongingness?
3. Discuss the role sports: what is the
importance of the “all-native basketball team”?
4. Discuss the function of gaming: What is the
“bone game” and what is its function in the novel?
5. Most of the characters in the novel have
seemingly peculiar names that identify or link them with animals or objects
from the natural world. What is the
significance with naming in the novel, and what do you think the author’s
strategy, if any, is in giving his characters unusual names?
6. The novel’s narrative structure is a journey
of Will coming “home” and back to his Indigenous culture. During his decision
to reconcile with his Indigenous roots, certain “helpers” aid him in
rediscovering parts of who he is: discuss.
7.
Photography
and photographs are prevalent throughout the novel. Photography, as a
profession, encourages Will to be more involved with his Indigenous community:
discuss.
8. Marta Oldcrow and Lionel James appear to be
the only “Elder” figures in the novel. Discuss how their “teachings” influence
Will to wanting to become a part of his Indigenous community.
9.
Will
appears to be from “two worlds”—his urban world in Toronto and his rural world
in Medicine River: discuss Will’s sense of belonging to both worlds.

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