The Rez Sisters Lesson Plan

How are gender roles treated in the play so far? How does Highway make statements on gender in direct ways (e.g., in the lines spoken by the characters) as well as indirect ways (e.g., topics he chooses to address in the play, structure/style, costumes)?

Students may point to the men's coveralls Pelajia wears and her comment to Philomena early in the play, "You gotta wear pants when you're doing a man's job," examining what exactly seems to be considered a man's job in this community. Then, the question naturally follows of what a woman's job or role is in the community. Students should take note of how men are discussed by the women in the play, including incidents of...