Themes in Michael Dorris's Yellow Raft in Blue Water

There are many themes throughout this book, but the major theme of this novel is the overcoming strength of mother-daughter-grandmother love and relationship. For Rayona it is, understanding her mother and her Aunt Ida. Understanding comes in knowing what Ida did for them all and how much she sacrificed. Another important theme is survival, not so much as a specific Indian group or tribe but as a community who will stick by each other when it becomes truly important to do so. Rayona is seen as an outcast and thus must survive basically on her on. Rayona’s story introduces herself as an outcast teen living in Seattle with her mother struggling to get by. Rayona once again, is depicted as an outcast when her mother abandons her. Left to live with her Aunt Ida she is forced into a group of kids who belittle her.
This isolation that occurs is mostly based on Rayona’s race. This Racism is what makes Rayona feel very inferior as well as insecure. She doesn’t feel comfortable in her...