"The Ecstasy of Rita Joe"

Paper Summary:

This essay analyzes the text of George Ryga's "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe", then links it to issues of publishing, culture, and aboriginal people in Canada. Examines the significance of this publication in light of the Americanization of Canadian literature.

From the Paper:

'The Ecstasy of Rita Joe is a series of scenes linked by Rita's memory and associations; their causal relations become clear only through repetition. This cause and effect is well illustrated by a particular scene set: Rita Joe admits to stealing a sweater in court. Later, at a clothing drive arranged by Mr. Homer, Jaimie Paul explicitly forbids Rita Joe from taking a red sweater she is admiring. This cause and effect relationship gives credence to Rita Joe's actions, as we are shown very simply how and why these things happen. Her eventual rape and murder is foreshadowed throughout the play, as "the murderers" are written several times into the background scenes of the play; they act as unknown menacing objects at times that Rita shows vulnerability. In terms of linking this book to the modern day, it is this part of the story that I found so striking and timely, as the book has foreshadowed the reality of the past few decades in the downtown eastside of Vancouver, recently come to a head."

More papers on "The Ecstasy of Rita Joe":

• Comparison Essay # 3859 : "Truth and Belonging: The Necessity of a Psychological Home"
• Analytical Essay # 139940 : "Conflict of Native versus White Society in Literature"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: