Monkey Beach Essay Questions

In what way does Lisa start to rely on the spirit guides too much?

By relying on the spirits to inform her about bad things happening, Lisa becomes somewhat removed from her own reality. Paradoxically, her heightened spiritual awareness causes her to become more and more desensitized to the things occurring around her in the earthly world. This is most obvious when it comes to her sexual assault. Cheese's pushy behavior and dissatisfaction with her refusing to date him might have been a red flag if Lisa did not put her total trust in the spirit guides to warn her about impending events. By excessively drinking alcohol, we see Lisa putting herself in dangerous situations time after time. Ultimately, she discovers that while the spirits can help her in some ways, they do not replace her own need to take responsibility for her life.

Animals appear prominently throughout the story. What is the role of animals in the novel and what do they symbolize?

Animals are important symbols in First Nations cultures, often symbolizing ancestors and spirits. The Haisla people, very aware of their surroundings, see an animal appearance as a specific message, depending on the time and place they observe it. Crows are one animal guide that is particularly significant in the book; they stalk the Hill's home and Jimmy sees them as a sign of good luck. They also deliver important information, such as when the crow "Spotty" informs Jimmy that Lisa is in danger.

What is the significance of the ocean in this book?

Living on the British Columbia coast, the ocean is a vital aspect of Haisla life, providing much of their sustenance through the fishing trade. The literary descriptions of the ocean throughout the book illustrate it as a beautiful yet powerful force of nature that must be respected. Ironically, both the happiest and the most tragic events take place at sea. Lisamarie's joyful boat trip to Monkey Beach with her Uncle Mick is a highlight of her childhood, yet it is also the ocean which eventually takes Mick's life. Ultimately we see how the ocean is connected to cycles of life and death, which we see at the end of the novel when Lisa goes into the ice-cold ocean in a ritual-like moment of rebirth.

How does Uncle Mick impact Lisamarie's life?

Lisamarie has been partially named after Uncle Mick (her middle name is Michelle) which sets the stage for him to be an important influence in her life. Uncle Mick is very loved by Lisamarie as the fun, playful uncle who is a reprieve from her strict and critical parents. His death deeply affects Lisamarie, beginning the larger cycle of grief in her life. Lisamarie feels that she should have done something to save her uncle, which leaves her with a misplaced sense of guilt. Yet Mick's spirit is a source of strength for Lisa, even after he passes; his infamous sense of justice continues to inspire Lisa to be a "spiritual warrior."

What is the role of dreams in the novel?

Dreams play an important role in foretelling future events in the novel. Lisa's spirit messages often come through dreams and visions, such as her dream of Jimmy at Monkey Beach which inspires her to travel there to search for her brother. Lisamarie's mother used to have premonitory dreams, but started suppressing them when they became too much of a burden. Now she attributes her more powerful dreams to late night eating. Thus dreams are indicative of the supernatural wisdom that one can either draw power from or negate.