The Bean Trees… …and connections, themes and motifs found in this novel

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver Themes or motifs: FAMILY (it may look different, but love and support are essential) Multi-culturalism (Native Americans, Mexican- Americans, Hispanic Immigrants) Women

The Bean Trees To understand a bit before we begin reading, we are going to explore the thematic gestures presented in the novel We’ve covered: stereotypes, are looking at Native Americans…

The Bean Trees We’re going to look at the changing American family The importance of family Issues faced with Mexican-Americans and Hispanic Immigrants Native-Americans Finfally, what is a woman’s place in this evolving world?

The Bean Trees To start with, we are going to watch a film titled, Rabbit Proof Fence (2002) directed by Philip Noyce 94 minutes in length While it takes place in Australia during the early 1930s, it could have happened in America…

The Carlisle School, Carlisle, PA Began in Ongoing quest of manifest destiny (the diving right to take possession of the land), plus the notion of assimilating American Indians into White, European Culture

Carlisle School

Boarding schools were cheaper than war Education was cheaper But there were drawbacks to this schooling system: They were far from their home, Parents were not allowed to visit, Students were not allowed to go home during summer

Carlisle School Students were not allowed to speak their native language They were a free source of manual labor for the neighboring community Students wore military-like uniforms Forbidden to practice their spirituality Taught to assimilate into the “white way”

Carlisle School By the early 1920s, many schools were shut down They were not successful because they failed to realize: Native Americans are dependent on their land, their spirituality, their family, and culture Many students died from small-pox, T.B., etc.

Carlisle School Today, many Native American parents are wary of “regular” schools and choose to keep their kids on the “rez.” SPS has the American Indian Heritage School (on N. Seattle Community College Campus) 1969 Congress declared these schools a national tragedy

Carlisle School Statement by the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Kevin Gover, September 8, 2000: “This agency forbade the speaking of Indian languages, prohibited the conduct of traditional religious activities, outlawed traditional government, and made Indian people ashamed of who they were. Worst of all, the Bureau of Indian Affairs committed these acts against the children entrusted to its boarding schools, brutalizing them emotionally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually…these wrongs must be acknowledged if healing is to begin.”

Carlisle School Show photos from Wilson Pacific School, vandalized murals

Rabbit Proof Fence As you watch this film, think about the fact that similar things occurred here in our country, even though the setting is Australia for the film Think about the depths that are taken to return to their land Think about the depths that are taken to return to home