Both Emily Carr and Carol Geddes, in their essays, “Sophie” and “Growing up Native,” explore the effects that the imposition of white culture has on Aboriginal Canadians. Both Sophie and Geddes struggle with poverty and discrimination. Sophie, uneducated, resigns to these conditions never fighting back; she has neither the incentive nor the opportunity. Geddes, however, conquers these problems and becomes a leader for change. Where Sophie remains uneducated and can barely speak English, Geddes revolutionizes her life through education. Though both women have been subjected to cultural transition and have endured the ache of poverty and discrimination, their reactions and the outcomes are entirely distinct. Submission, rebellion, and a new age are the differences between these two women.
A product of British domination and segregation, the reserve confines Sophie and many other native people to poverty. Sophie, uncomplaining, spends her entire life in this situation. Restricted to reservation life, her low living standard has a negative impact on her health. She is “small and spare”p.28 due to malnutrition and can offer no more to her babies. Trying repeatedly to raise a child, Sophie is heartbroken each time her new infant dies. She loses twenty-one babies in her lifetime. This problem is not unique to Sophie as her neighbor, Susan, loses nearly as many babies as Sophie. It is a result of the poverty and malnutrition on the reserve. The contrast between the thriving white children and the sickly native children is made evident. Without other options, Sophie unsuccessfully tries to raise more children, never changing her situation.
Being a native woman, Sophie is subjected to, and almost accepts, discrimination. British culture and ideals are imposed upon her, and Sophie, although in reality she already is, strives to be a “nice lady.”P.27 She is taken advantage of and discriminated against by nice white people. Exploited by the grave man, she...