Rayona's Growing Up in a Yellow Raft in Blue Waters As the subject of the first section of Doris's novel, A Yellow Raft in Blue Waters, Rayona faces many problems that are unique for someone his age. Ray's mixed-race heritage makes her a target of discrimination on the reservation. Problems in her home life (or lack thereof) give Rayona a reversed role where she is the mother who takes care of Christine. In dealing with these issues, Rayona learns a lot about herself and others. Due to the life Christine leads, the roles of mother and daughter are reversed and Rayona often finds herself taking care of her mother. When Ray came home from school, he often learned that his mother had gone out partying. Times like these meant Rayona had to take care of herself. It's not uncommon to stay out late; but when it is the parent who does it, the person's responsibility must be questioned. When Christine leaves the hospital, Rayona shows up and helps prevent a potential disaster. She realizes what her mother plans to do and that her mother will not crash the car with her in it. Although Christine is not very trustworthy, she also does not wish to hurt Rayona; Ray's prediction was correct. As a child, Rayona has to fulfill more obligations than a normal teenager. Over the course of the time leading up to her abandonment, Rayona begins to feel distanced from her mother. Christine's growing concern for herself makes Rayona feel like her mother is ignoring her, when that's not true at all. In every culture, people are proud of their heritage. However, when an individual from one group meets people from another and the element of ignorance is added, the individual will be socially ostracized. Of mixed ancestry, Rayon......middle of paper......always easy to make. After being rejected the first time and then the second, Ray feels she has "a connection to a power she didn't even know existed (120)." This event greatly increases Rayona's self-perception and advances her in life. As a teenager, Rayona experiences a confusing time in her life. The gradual disintegration of his family life places an additional burden on his conscience. Without the support of others, Rayona must find a way to manage her difficulties. At first he tries to avoid these obstacles in his life by lying and not expressing his opinions. However, when she faces them, she learns to feel better about herself and understand others. Works Cited Gleick, Elizabeth. "An imperfect union." Newsweek. April 28, 1997: 68-69.Covert, Collin. "The Anguished Life of Michael Dorris." Tribune of the Stars. August 3, 1997: A1, A10-A13.