April Raintree Character Analysis

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“In Search of April Raintree”, contains a search that is to be equated with the search of character and identity. The protagonist, April Raintree was faced with adversity and endured troubling domestic events throughout the duration of her childhood and into her maturity, which caused her to lose touch with the identity that creates a sense of self-worth and individuality. April’s was of Metis ancestry, but at a very early age began to repress, and even deny her heritage due to victimization and being subject to racist comments which caused her to lose touch with her identity, thus beginning her lifelong search of identity and belonging. The quest for her identity took April down many different paths and caused her to seek many different lifestyles, but nothing seemed to fill the void that was missing since her childhood. The sudden suicide of her sister, Cheryl and discovery of her nephew, Henry Liberty caused April to finally end the search …show more content…
The suicide of her sister, Cheryl, whom was a cultural activist and was proud of her heritage as opposed to April. “I told her I understood everything. As I stared at Henry Lee, I remembered that during the night I had used the words “MY PEOPLE, OUR PEOPLE” and meant them. The denial had been lifted from my spirit. It was tragic that it had taken Cheryl’s death to bring me to accept my identity. But no, Cheryl had once said, “All life dies to give new life.” Cheryl had died. But for Henry Lee and me, there would be a tomorrow. And it would be better. I would strive for it. For my sister and her son. For my parents. For my people” (p.207). It took a tragic event to allow April’s search for identity to be a success, and to pave the way for a bright future for young Henry Liberty. A future that April believed herself responsible and obliged to