Notes

The novel Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson is deeply connected with the geography and setting of British Columbia's central coast. This region, with its rugged coastline, dense forests, and closeness to the ocean, forms the background for the protagonist Lisa’s journey and greatly enhances the novel’s themes of identity, loss, and connection to Indigenous culture. The setting’s physical and cultural landscape serves not just as a background, but as an element that interacts with the characters and influences their experiences. Through the depiction of this geography, Robinson immerses the reader in the Haisla community, highlighting the profound connection between land, memory, and identity.

One of the key ways in which the setting enhances the story is by grounding it in the history and culture of the Haisla people, whose traditional territory encompasses the central coast. The confusion over the naming of Kitamaat, as explained in the novel, highlights the tension between colonial and Indigenous histories. Robinson writes, “Hudson’s Bay traders used Tsimshian guides to show them around, which is when the names began to get confusing” (pg. 4). The name "Kitamaat," derived from the Tsimshian word for "people of the falling snow," was mistakenly used to refer to the Haisla village, which should have been called Haisla. This historical mix-up reflects the broader colonial erasure and misunderstanding of Indigenous identities, and the persistence of this misnaming speaks to the novel's themes of loss and reclamation of identity. The geographical setting, therefore, becomes a symbol of the complexities of history and the ways in which Indigenous culture has been misrepresented and marginalized.

The coast’s natural environment also plays a crucial role in shaping the characters' lives and experiences, particularly Lisa’s. The ocean, ever-present in the novel, is both a source of life and a place of danger. Lisa’s mixed feelings towards the ocean—her desire to swim and her simultaneous fear of its cold, powerful waters—mirror her internal struggles with grief and identity. When she describes the ocean around Kitamaat, she says, “Although the ocean around Kitamaat warms up by August, this means that it’s no longer ice water but isn’t exactly tropical” (pg. 43). This cold, unyielding environment symbolizes both the harshness of the natural world and the resilience required to survive within it. Lisa’s tentative approach to entering the water, step by step, reflects her gradual approach to confronting the emotional turmoil in her life, especially the disappearance of her brother, Jimmy.

Moreover, the isolation of the central coast, with its remote villages and wild, untamed landscapes, amplifies the mood of loneliness and introspection that pervades the novel. The dense forests and towering mountains that surround Lisa’s community create a sense of seclusion, both physically and emotionally. The characters’ interactions with the land are intimate and deeply connected to their sense of self. The remote geography enhances the themes of isolation and survival, as Lisa must navigate not only the natural elements but also the challenges of growing up in a world that often feels distant and disconnected from her Indigenous roots.

Robinson also uses the geography of the central coast to emphasize the importance of language and cultural identity. The Haisla language, with its unique sounds and rhythms, is difficult for outsiders to grasp. Robinson writes, “Haisla has many sounds that don’t exist in English, so it is not possible to spell the words using English conventions […] Haisla is difficult for English speakers to learn partly because most English sounds are formed by using the front of your mouth, while Haisla uses mainly the back” (pg. 193). This description of the language parallels the complexity of the land itself—both are unfamiliar, challenging, and deeply rooted in Indigenous tradition. Just as the land shapes the people who live there, so too does the language reflect their connection to it. For Lisa, reclaiming her cultural identity is tied to her understanding of both the land and the language of her ancestors.

In Monkey Beach, the setting is not merely a backdrop but an active participant in the story. The geography of British Columbia’s central coast shapes the characters' experiences, reflects their internal conflicts, and reinforces the novel’s central themes of identity, loss, and resilience. The cold, unpredictable ocean and the mist-covered forests evoke a sense of mystery and danger, mirroring the uncertainty that Lisa feels as she navigates her grief and her search for her brother. The land and its history are inextricably linked to the Haisla culture, and through Lisa’s journey, Robinson shows how a deep connection to place is essential to understanding oneself and one’s heritage. Ultimately, the central coast’s rugged beauty and isolation enhance the novel’s exploration of Indigenous identity, survival, and the enduring ties between people and the land.