How do we interpret the end of the story of the marrow thieves? Does the novel have a hopeful ending? Why or why not?

In the final chapters of the novel, the romance between French and Rose develops. At the same time, French struggles with jealousy, moodiness, and his own sense of manhood. By contrast, Derrick is cocky, obnoxious, and self-congratulatory. In response, French feels the need to prove himself, which in turn makes him feel angry and resentful. In this mood, he rudely sends Rose away. It is an outburst that he later regrets but feels unable to control at the time. I think the ending is hopeful.

The novel’s closing scene highlights the idea of a “key” to taking down the schools. The group thought Minerva was the key, since she had the power to break down the Recruiters’ system through the strength of her dreams turned into songs in her native language. When the group meets Isaac, who is fluent and dreams in Cree, they believe they may have found another key. The novel ends there, with the reader left to wonder if they will manage to take down more schools using Minerva’s methods. More broadly, Dimaline suggests that preserving and connecting with ancestral language, cultural tradition and the power of dreams is the key to building hope and change.