In Search of April Raintree
Alcohol abuse creates unhealthy situations and also brings out a defiant side in many individuals. April Raintree, the protagonist in the novel In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier, challenges the adverse effects of alcoholism; however, Mosionier proposes that hope can be found in situations where alcohol is abused. Alcoholism has destructive effects on families and the inner-workings of the familial relationships, but overcoming these hardships allows opportunity for individual growth.
At a young age, April becomes aware that her parents have involved themselves with alcohol, forcing April and her sister into adoption. April accepts her parents’ alcoholism at the young age of eight, which demonstrates her accelerated (Mosionier 46). April is quoted as saying, “all those promises of getting well. All those lies about taking medicine. Liars!” (46). In this quotation, April shows insight into emotions related to the complex topic of alcohol abuse. Not only does she piece together the occurrences of her past, she is mature enough to understand the negative implications associated with her parent’s choices. This is a clear example of this young girl’s maturity being enhanced from learning to cope with alcohol abuse.
Experiencing freedom in her early teenage years exposes April to the possibility that she might abuse alcohol herself. She sees other young adults making poor lifestyle choices and describes them by saying, “they went shoplifting, drank liquor even though they were under-aged, and had easy sexual relationships with each other” (86). April exemplifies a mature view on the behavior of her new friends, while resisting the obvious pressures to conform to their lifestyle. In addition, she draws a parallel between their alcoholic behavior and irresponsible sexual encounters. This proves her ability to make decisions with a maturity beyond her years, despite having had alcohol-riddled parents.
In the final stages of the novel, April is dealing
At a young age, April becomes aware that her parents have involved themselves with alcohol, forcing April and her sister into adoption. April accepts her parents’ alcoholism at the young age of eight, which demonstrates her accelerated (Mosionier 46). April is quoted as saying, “all those promises of getting well. All those lies about taking medicine. Liars!” (46). In this quotation, April shows insight into emotions related to the complex topic of alcohol abuse. Not only does she piece together the occurrences of her past, she is mature enough to understand the negative implications associated with her parent’s choices. This is a clear example of this young girl’s maturity being enhanced from learning to cope with alcohol abuse.
Experiencing freedom in her early teenage years exposes April to the possibility that she might abuse alcohol herself. She sees other young adults making poor lifestyle choices and describes them by saying, “they went shoplifting, drank liquor even though they were under-aged, and had easy sexual relationships with each other” (86). April exemplifies a mature view on the behavior of her new friends, while resisting the obvious pressures to conform to their lifestyle. In addition, she draws a parallel between their alcoholic behavior and irresponsible sexual encounters. This proves her ability to make decisions with a maturity beyond her years, despite having had alcohol-riddled parents.
In the final stages of the novel, April is dealing
Cited: Mosionier, Beatrice. In Search of April Raintree. Winnipeg: Portage & Main Press, 1999. Print.