The Marrow Thieves: Formal Paragraph Assignment

Purpose:
● To demonstrate an ability to analyse character (or theme) in literature
● To demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to, communicate in formal
language
● To demonstrate an understanding of the PEA method of organizing an argument
(in this case, a paragraph)
● To demonstrate an ability to use the writing process

Task: Outline, and then write, a formal paragraph that analyses one aspect of the novel The
Marrow Thieves.

Step #1:
● Look over your “The Visitor” paragraph from earlier this semester.
● Choose one of the thesis statements discussed during class for this paragraph.

Topic Sentences:
❏ In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Miig is an ideal
leader.
❏ In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Frenchie is an
admirable protagonist.
❏ The novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, shows that Elders
are a valuable asset to their communities.
❏ In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Miig’s family
illustrates the traditional and contemporary Indigenous ideas of community
roles.
❏ Another topic of your choice- must be cleared with Ms Woolley before you
begin.

Step #2:
● Outline the paragraph

Topic Sentence
In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Frenchie is an admirable
protagonist.

Content
Point Evidence Analysis
(Quotation with page #)

● Frenchie is a likeable ● (Pg. 212) “I picked up Throughout the whole of the

protagonist who
prioritizes family, he
respects each
member of his family
and cares for them
the scissors when she novel, Frenchie has shown
set them down and that he cares deeply about
cut my own braid to each member of his
send off with “patchwork family” but him
Minerva.” cutting his braid was an act
 deeply. that really solidified his care
for these people. In
indeginous culture, one’s
hair is considered sacred,
and a symbol of cultural
identity and strength.
Somebody will only cut their
hair willingly if they have
experienced a significant
loss, such as a traumatic
event or the passing of a
close family member. The
fact that Frenchie cut his hair
to honour Minerva’s death
speaks volumes about how
much Frenchie cared for his
elder.

● Frenchie is a (Pg. 13) “I stood back up, Even though Frenchie was
determined dropped the can, and weakened, starving, thirsty,
protagonist who won’t shouldered my pack. and dealing with the grief of
give up even in the Onward.” his brother being taken, he
toughest of times still perseveres and tries to
survive. His efforts paid off,
for if he had not tried he
would have never met the
family he now is a solid part
of. He could have given up
and let himself be taken or
let himself die, but instead
he is determined to survive
for Mitch.

● Frenchie is a (Pg. 57) “I felt the electricity Frenchie chooses to risk

protagonist who will enter my hand, shoot up my sacrificing himself so Miig
do all he can to arm, and land like a ball of can survive. He knows that if
ensure the people he hornets in my aorta. I swear I Miig, the leader, perishes
cares about are safe did.” then the rest of the family
will be in disarray and he
doesn’t want to need to
witness his family in that
state of grief. Frenchie
witnessed the loss of his
biological family, and he will
do everything in his power to
make sure that he does not
need to say goodbye to this
group that he has grown
 with.

Step #3
● Write the paragraph

In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Frenchie is an admirable
protagonist. The reader is presented with many instances in which Frenchie displays his
best qualities and character traits, as to make him more endearing to the reader. He is a
likeable protagonist who prioritizes family, and who respects each member of his family and
cares for them deeply. “I picked up the scissors when she set them down and cut my own
braid to send off with Minerva.” (Dimaline 212). Throughout the whole of the novel, Frenchie
has shown that he cares deeply about each member of his “patchwork family” but him
cutting off his braid was an act that solidified for the reader how much these people mean to
him. In Indeginous culture, one’s hair is considered sacred, and a symbol of cultural identity
and strength. Somebody will only cut their hair willingly if they have experienced a
significant loss, such as a traumatic event or the passing of a close family member. The fact
that Frenchie cut his hair to honour Minerva’s death speaks volumes about how much
Frenchie cared for his elder. Though Frenchie can be empathetic, he is a determined
protagonist who won’t give up even in the toughest of times. “I stood back up, dropped the
can, and shouldered my pack. Onward.” (Dimaline 13). Even though at this point Frenchie
was weakened, starving, thirsty, and dealing with the grief of his brother being taken, he still
perseveres and tries to survive. His efforts paid off, for if he had not tried he would have
never met the family he now is an important, and irreplaceable part of. He could have given
up and let himself be taken by the Recruiters, or let himself die, but instead he is
determined to survive for himself and for Mitch. In The Marrow Thieves, Frenchie meets
many people who he forms deep rooted bonds with. In the novel, Frenchie will do
everything in his power to ensure that said people are safe, even if it should mean
sacrificing his own life. “I felt the electricity enter my hand, shoot up my arm, and land like a
ball of hornets in my aorta. I swear I did.” (Dimaline 57). Frenchie chooses to risk sacrificing
himself so Miig can survive. He knows that if Miig, the leader, perishes then the rest of the
family will be in disarray and he does not want to witness his family in that state of grief,
when he knows that he could have done something to prevent it. Frenchie witnessed the
losses of his biological family members, and following these events, he will do everything in
his power to make sure that he does not need to say goodbye to this group that he has
grown and evolved with. Frenchie, like any other human, has flaws and quirks, and he is by
no means a perfect character. Cherie Dimaline wrote Frenchie to be a real person, he is
courageous and knightly, yet he is still a teenager who lost his family to the Recruiters, and
is not sure if tomorrow is a promise when there are people constantly combing the land for
their ‘right’ to dreaming. Despite Frenchie’s shortcomings, he is still an admirable
protagonist that many teenagers can in some way relate to.
Step #4
● Peer Evaluating, Proofread and revise the paragraph, using the checklist

Téa Rogers

Ms. Woolley

ENG 1DI-03

January 24, 2022

In the novel The Marrow Thieves, written by Cherie Dimaline, Frenchie is an admirable
protagonist. The reader is presented with many instances in which Frenchie displays his
best qualities and character traits, as to make him more endearing to the reader. He is a
likeable protagonist who prioritizes family, and who respects each member of his family and
cares for them deeply. “I picked up the scissors when she set them down and cut my own
braid to send off with Minerva.” (Dimaline 212). Throughout the whole of the novel, Frenchie
has shown that he cares deeply about each member of his “patchwork family” but him
cutting off his braid was an act that solidified for the reader how much these people mean to
him. In Indeginous culture, one’s hair is considered sacred, and a symbol of cultural identity
and strength. Somebody will only cut their hair willingly if they have experienced a
significant loss, such as a traumatic event or the passing of a close family member. The fact
that Frenchie cut his hair to honour Minerva’s death speaks volumes about how much
Frenchie cared for his elder. Though Frenchie can be empathetic, he is a determined
protagonist who won’t give up even in the toughest of times. “I stood back up, dropped the
can, and shouldered my pack. Onward.” (Dimaline 13). Even though at this point Frenchie
was weakened, starving, thirsty, and dealing with the grief of his brother being taken, he still
perseveres and tries to survive. His efforts paid off, for if he had not tried he would have
never met the family he now is an important, and irreplaceable part of. He could have given
up and let himself be taken by the Recruiters, or let himself die, but instead he is
determined to survive for himself and for Mitch. In The Marrow Thieves, Frenchie meets
many people who he forms deep rooted bonds with. In the novel, Frenchie will do
everything in his power to ensure that said people are safe, even if it should mean
sacrificing his own life. “I felt the electricity enter my hand, shoot up my arm, and land like a
ball of hornets in my aorta. I swear I did.” (Dimaline 57). Frenchie chooses to risk sacrificing
himself so Miig can survive. He knows that if Miig, the leader, perishes then the rest of the
family will be in disarray and he does not want to witness his family in that state of grief,
when he knows that he could have done something to prevent it. Frenchie witnessed the
losses of his biological family members, and following these events, he will do everything in
his power to make sure that he does not need to say goodbye to this group that he has
grown and evolved with. Frenchie, like any other human, has flaws and quirks, and he is by
no means a perfect character. Cherie Dimaline wrote Frenchie to be a real person, he is
courageous and knightly, yet he is still a teenager who lost his family to the Recruiters, and
is not sure if tomorrow is a promise when there are people constantly combing the land for
their ‘right’ to dreaming. Despite Frenchie’s shortcomings, he is still an admirable
protagonist that many teenagers can in some way relate to.
Step #5
● Submit the final copy via “Final Project” Tab