English Test Review: Rhetoric, Literary Genres, and The Marrow Thieves

Vocabulary practice cards covering rhetorical appeals, utopian and dystopian genre concepts, as well as character roles, representations, and central themes from Cherie Dimaline's novel The Marrow Thieves.

Propaganda

Information intended to spread ideas that will persuade or convince people.

Utopia

A society imagined to be perfect or ideal that does not and cannot exist; characterized by peace, safety, happiness, equality, fairness, cooperation, strong communities, very few laws, no need for money, and working only for enjoyment.

Dystopia

An imaginary place or society where life is difficult, unfair, or controlled, and people lead dehumanized and fearful lives; characterized by government control, strict rules, technological control, lack of freedom, and poverty or limited resources.

Rhetoric

The art of using language effectively and persuasively to convince an audience.

Ethos

A rhetorical appeal to ethics or credibility that works to earn the audience's trust by showing the speaker is trustworthy, knowledgeable, or by establishing their character.

Pathos

A rhetorical appeal to emotion that deliberately attempts to evoke feelings and an emotional response from the audience.

Logos

A rhetorical appeal to logical reasoning that convinces an audience by using statistics, verifiable facts, specific examples, or evidence.

Frenchie

The main character and narrator in The Marrow Thieves; an Indigenous teenager who loses his family, survives on his own, joins Miig's group, matures, develops feelings for Rose, and represents growth and survival.

Miig

The leader and protector of the group in The Marrow Thieves who teaches survival skills, tells the story of what happened to the world, had his husband Isaac taken by recruiters, and represents leadership, storytelling, and family.

Rose

A strong, independent, and determined teenage Indigenous girl who joins the group, develops a relationship with Frenchie, and represents love, resilience, and hope.

Minerva

An elder in the group who protects Indigenous language and culture, uses her language and songs to disrupt the school's machinery, and represents cultural resilience and the power of language.

Wab

A survivor who experienced trauma, shares her past, demonstrates that people can endure pain and still move forward, and represents trauma, strength, and healing.

RiRi

One of the youngest members of the group who looks up to Frenchie, whose death deeply affects the group, and who represents innocence and the importance of protecting younger generations.

Isaac

Miig's husband and a poet who speaks Cree; he was taken to a school, is eventually reunited with Miig, and represents love, cultural identity, and hope.

Mitch

Frenchie's older brother who allows himself to be captured so Frenchie can escape, representing sacrifice, loyalty, and family.

Colonialism (Theme)

A major theme in The Marrow Thieves wherein the government attempts to control Indigenous people and exploit their bodies.

Family and Belonging (Theme)

A theme in The Marrow Thieves shown when Frenchie finds a new family among the survivors, demonstrating that family is defined by love and support.

Cultural Identity (Theme)

A theme in The Marrow Thieves highlighting how Indigenous language, traditions, and knowledge help characters maintain their identity and heal.