Michael Dorris

In the article “The Myth of Justice” by Michael Dorris, he states that justice is a myth. Dorris says that justice is a made up term to make people feel better about themselves. Dorris talks about how humans believe that their hard work will pay off and that justice will vindicate bad things done to them. He believes that people think that are in control of their destinies, but really it is controlled by the wealth, knowledge, and luck of people. Dorris says that people are shocked when something

The article, The myth of Justice, by Michael Dorris is intriguing and insightful because he provides his stance on justice and how he thinks we have come to the point of thinking life is supposed to be fair. He believes that justice is something that isn’t achievable. He even goes a step farther and says in his thesis that “justice is one of those palliative myths...” and that it isn’t even something that exists. It’s just something that we, as a human race, have developed and created over time.

placed in the same situation, dwells on the letter for longer and decides to keep it. To Rayona, the letter is much more significant because it reminds her of the little things, talking to her mother, talking to her father, talking to whoever. Michael Dorris, author of A Yellow Raft in Blue Water promotes communication as a key factor to relationships through mother-daughter, siblings, and marriage relationships in the novel. Mother-daughter relationships throughout A Yellow Raft in Blue

find symbolism in many everyday items and colors are no exception. They believe that yellow is a conflicting motif, on one hand it denotes happiness, joy, and contentment but on the other hand it is the color of cowardice, deceit, and hurt. Michael Dorris, the author of A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, coming from a Native American background, most likely considered this while choosing the title for this bestseller. It is overflowing with hidden meanings for the color of yellow, especially in Rayona’s

Written by Michael Dorris, A Yellow Raft in Blue Water is a novel about three generations of Native American women, Rayona, Christine and Aunt Ida. The women live throughout hardships, hidden secrets and shattered family bonds. The novel is broken down into three sections corresponding to the three perspectives of the Native women. Each woman expresses their feelings and tells their story all linking up together. Towards the end of the novel, a gathered opinion can be made on the three characters

Memorable moments last a lifetime within the heart and often encourage new memories to be made to be just as everlasting. Life often gives the individual an array of events followed by a variety of emotions and lasting event but it is not always as delightful as the ones that make a last impression. “The Red Convertible” is about the memorable moments that the Lamartine brothers share together based on their pride for their red convertible. The shared love for the red convertible inspired the lasting

behavioral traits and tendencies are easily taken advantage of, along with making them prone to grievous mistakes and overall actions. The topics of betrayal and subsequent neglect are present in an almost unavoidable continuous cycle throughout Michael Dorris’ A Yellow Raft on Blue Water, as each generation of women faced a series of abrupt and unforeseen deceptions by those either in an influential position in their lives or those possessing their trust, leading to damaged and unresolved relationships

Rayona’s Growth in A Yellow Raft In Blue Water      As the subject of the first section of Doris' novel, A Yellow Raft In Blue Water, Rayona faces many problems that are unique to someone her age. Ray's mixed race heritage makes her a target of discrimination on the reservation. Problems in her family life (or lack thereof), give Rayona a reversed role in which she is the mother taking care of Christine. In dealing with these issues, Rayona learns a lot about herself and others.  

roles based on their biological gender rather than their ability. Although these roles do not hold true for each individual, the superiority of them live their lives in compliance with these inescapable roles. In the short story Groom Service by Michael Dorris, it is illustrated through the use of satire and character how men and women are raised in a way to fill predetermined positions for which society compels them to be in. As a result of this, their power, potential, and importance is limited. Despite

While growing up Michael Dorris never encountered a Native American literary character that he could relate too, and being of Modoc Tribe of California descent, this was something that was very important to him. After graduating from Georgetown University, and earning a Master’s Degree at Yale, Dorris began to create these characters and ideas that he had longed for himself during childhood. He married his literary partner, Louise Erdrich, who was also of Native American descent. They had three