Sociological Analysis

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People are divided into their social status according to wealth, gender, and ethnicity. These classes give people boundaries and limitations, which may reduce their ability to improve their social status as the years go by. Plutarch, a Greek historian, once said, “An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics” (Collins 1). Although a certain level of inequality still exists in society today, it does not seem to stack up against the dire situation of the past. The relationship between social inequality and social status cannot be described as the power of status or the size of one’s wallet. However, it can be described as a concept, which involves the existence of unequal opportunities in different …show more content…
This certainly affects how she feels towards the predominant “white” culture. In addition, it causes her to struggle with this society’s cultural identity as well as her personal identity. Before she escapes residential school, Niska is shown to have fought her oppression after the nuns cut her hair. That night “[she] crept down to the basement to the room where they sheared [her] like sheep…[she] cut the rest of [her] hair…so that all that was left was a stubbly field” (Boyden 93). Niska fights her oppression to prove that the nuns do not control her, which symbolizes her defiance. Prior to and after this incident, the nuns become aware that she is different from the rest of the native children. Niska displays her individuality even though “the nuns paid very close attention…[and kept her] away from [her] sister” (92). Though she is punished, Niska escapes with her mother’s help and decides to live in the bush. Niska is significant because she represents the native culture and tradition, and her life experiences signify, for the reader, different events and issues faced by the aboriginal community in Canada. Niska encounters another challenge while being in a relationship with the French trapper; she senses betrayal but yet continues to go and meet him. Nonetheless, he makes her feel powerless, at the altar, causing her to feel guilty. Niska tries to purify herself by having the lynx, her strongest spirit, to “go out and find the source of [her] hurt and extinguish it” (176). It shows her strong will and motivation to carry on, without giving in to the harsh inequalities she encounters. Although her native culture is challenged at times, she stands firm on her identity by keeping it at heart and living according to it. Niska’s stories are a lifeline for Xavier, giving insight
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