Katherena Vermette’s narrative details the circumstances under which a family in North Winnipeg is forced to deal with a violent sexual assault that occurs in the full view of a young Metis woman. Stella must contend with the fact that the young girl she witnessed being molested was her niece, Emily. “The Break” features numerous narratives that highlight personal experiences of suffering that demonstrate the affected individuals’ limited emotional capacity to deal with historical as well as new traumas that characterize their lives. Cheryl must cope with the loss of her sister to alcoholism, Lou is forced to contend with her boyfriend’s departure, and Paul must come to terms with the assault of a young daughter. Katherena Vermette’s explication of brokenness and healing demonstrates the hurdles indigenous women must overcome to regain their place in a society that subjects women to intergenerational trauma and violence.
“The Break” highlights the narratives of female protagonists who occupy different positions with regard to assimilation. The women are alienated from their traditional belief systems and forced to adopt new ones, thus precipitating a struggle to maintain identities as they adapt to a harsh and unforgiving environment. The evidence from the text indicates that Emily, Stella, Paulina, and Elsie are determined to fully embrace the norms of the novel Euro-Canadian society (Wallace 2). In order to accomplish their objective, they disconnect from their pasts and disavow any knowledge of their traditions, which forces them to develop unhealthy mental states that complicate their association with trauma. For most of the novel’s women, the upsetting experiences result in a quest for healing. They seek to reconnect with their Metis culture, where kinship and togetherness are prioritized. The complexity of their interaction with a challenging society is evident in their internalization of brokenness, which prompts a re-evaluation of true identity.
Despite having achieved a significant degree of success, most of the story’s protagonists struggle to accept their positions in life. For instance, Stella is, by all means, a successful woman. She has completed secondary education, has children, and owns a home with her husband. However, like many other indigenous women, she is dissatisfied with her place in society. It is evident from the text that the disturbing experience of a woman being sexually assaulted re-ignites her desire to be with her family despite having distanced herself from them (Wallace 2). It is also worth noting that Stella witnessed the sexual abuse of her friend Elsie in the past. Stella attempts to mask her brokenness by taking painkillers that she hopes will help her forget. The aforementioned passage demonstrates Elsie’s dissociation from her body as she lay limp after her traumatic experience and Stella’s abuse of medication is representative of the techniques most native women use to cope with their new realities. Psychological trauma and substance abuse are hallmarks of the complex lives of women dealing with brokenness and the struggle to embrace an identity that is shunned by society.
The effects of the trauma women experience often span generations. Elsie’s disassociation continues into her adult life as she uses drugs and alcohol to numb her broken spirit (Paris 69). Stella recalls the fact that Elsie’s blank eyes were a stark reminder of the fateful night. The intergenerational effect of abuse is seen in Elsie’s relationship with her daughters, who struggle to deal with their mother’s substance abuse (Paris 69). Phoenix, who was born after her mother’s gang rape, is angry and frustrated by her circumstances (Wallace 8). The aforementioned passages demonstrate how Phoenix inevitably adopts her mother’s lifestyle, which is characterized by the excessive use of drugs and engaging in sexual misconduct. Her brokenness is evidenced by her involvement in criminal activity and the guilt she experiences as a result of her sister’s untimely death. Phoenix uses her circumstances to forge an identity defined by anger and frustration resulting from her traumatic experiences from her mother’s abusive relationship. Phoenix’s vow never to be subjected to the suffering and torment that characterized her past is a demonstration of the impact Elsie’s misery had on her perception of life.
The continuity of colonial patriarchal violence against women is exemplified by Phoenix’s character. Phoenix is a troubled teenager who has had to deal with a significant degree of distress (Paris 72). She is the manifestation of the inadequate social and parenting skills that characterize the lives of most sexual abuse victims. Phoenix must deal with the reality that her mother’s offenders were never tried in court, yet she is facing criminal charges that will land her in prison. It is important to note that violence against indigenous women spans generations and is perpetrated by both men and women, seeing as Phoenix sexually abuses a woman. Phoenix copes with her abuse by propagating the acts on others. She is determined to change the narrative and portray herself as the victor rather than the victim. Phoenix is motivated by the need to dominate others in the most intimate way possible (Paris 71). She mirrors the toxic masculinity of the men in her life who have legacies of rape and violence (Paris 71). Phoenix’s brokenness is seen in her complex expression of the role of both the perpetrator and victim of colonial violence.
The journey to healing requires one to confront their past and make peace with their present. Emily, who was assaulted by Phoenix, faces difficulties dissociating from her trauma (Paris 69). While she is cognizant of the fact that she must face her past, she is unwilling to open up about the suffering she endured. She struggles with her emotions and hopes that repressing the memories will protect her family. This view is not shared by her mother, Paul, who has dedicated her life to saving women suffering the adverse effects of traumatic experiences. Paul chose the nursing profession because it serves as a gateway to the facilitation of healing. She struggles to deal with her daughter’s assault and is worried that her son will join a gang. Katherena Vermette’s contextualization of healing and its links to tradition is exemplified when Paul joins the family for a smoke, which is a cleansing ritual that brings peace to the soul. Paul gains a new perspective after the event and vows to give up feelings of hopelessness. Vermette highlights the fact that the association between tradition and identity is essential for healing in the context of traumatic experiences because it gives the victims hope.
Metis women can address their brokenness by becoming part of the solution. Paul’s sister Lou, is a certified social worker who has dedicated herself to the protection of her community. She is the embodiment of the Indigenous community’s attempts to regain control and prevent the unsanctioned disenfranchisement of local children (Paris 70). Lou occupies a position that would ordinarily be the preserve of white people. In effect, she demonstrates the power in the redistribution of control. She shares her past traumas openly in the hope that it inspires other women to embrace their pasts and begin the journey to healing. She offers genuine support to the women struggling with many of life’s challenges (Wallace 6). It is evident that coping with distress requires the courage to take up roles that help other members of the community address systemic challenges. Metis women must embrace their pasts and express their identities in to heal.
The novel’s female protagonists experience trauma as a result of society’s transition to adopt Western civilization. Before the land was occupied by European forces, the lives of most native people were defined by matrilineal kinship and communalism, which granted women authority and respect. European philosophy resulted in the systemic erosion of women’s rights and status. This is exemplified by the laxity with which the police respond to Stella’s reporting of the assault on a woman. The officers disregard her testimony and use a patronizing tone when interviewing her (Wallace 2). They even attempt to alter her account of the event by claiming that she may have witnessed the assault of an Aboriginal man. There is a serious laxity in the way the police handle cases involving indigenous women. Vermette emphasizes this fact by demonstrating how Stella’s mother lost her life as a result of an ineffective criminal justice system. The police officers further claim that Stella is simply overwhelmed by her household responsibilities. It is evident that they do not intend to investigate the matter further. The vilification of indigenous women by society makes it difficult for them to heal.
Most of the women in Vermette’s story are leaders in the community. They play important roles that are intended to guide the younger generation and protect them from the upsetting experiences that characterized their youth. Vermette demonstrates how small acts such as cleaning and cooking are vital in women’s quest to reclaim their position as meaningful members of society. There is a profound emphasis on the need to protect young indigenous women from the effects of gender violence as well as the misogyny that they will undoubtedly encounter. The novel’s characters are determined to heal the wounds that have defined Metis women since the introduction of Western civilization in Canada.
Brokenness is exemplified by numerous female protagonists in Katherena Vermette’s novel. The women experience sexual assault, violence, and emotional abuse as they struggle to embrace Western notions that are defined by patriarchy. The mental distress resulting from the experiences results in the adoption of aggression, depression, and substance abuse that transcends generations. However, despite the challenges the women face, most of them regain hope by embracing their identities. They willfully choose to lead better lives despite the difficulties they must face in a male-dominated society. The quest for healing is complex and determined by cultural practices and perceptions. In “The Break,” the characters embrace healing by participating in a communal sweat lodge. In addition, they rely on advice and care from relatives and friends. Healing is portrayed as the rejection of patriarchal gender roles that relegate women to menial duties and responsibilities. Social work and nursing are seen as steps towards the reclamation of authority and respect in a society that constantly exposes indigenous women to gender violence.
Works Cited
Paris, Jamie. ‘“Men Break When Things like That Happen”’. Canadian Literature, no. 239, 2020, pp. 68–84, Web.
Wallace, Cynthia R. ‘Attention, Representation, and Unsettlement in Katherena Vermette’s The Break, or, Teaching and (Re)Learning the Ethics of Reading’. Humanities, vol. 8, no. 4, 2019, pp. 1–15, Web.