How Old Is Frank the Funnie Frenchie
A sixteen-year-old Métis boy and the protagonist of the novel. His given name is Francis, but few people call him that. Frenchie lost Dad, Mom, and his older brother, Mitch, by the time he was eleven. Though he loves the family he's found with Miig and the other children with whom he travels, Frenchie is deeply scarred by his parents' absences, in particular. Like all the children in Miig's group, Frenchie is comfortable hunting with the rifle and is beginning to learn to use a bow and arrow. He takes on the role of a big brother to seven-year-old RiRi, who desperately wants to hear "Story," their community's narrative of how the world came to be in its present state. Frenchie overwhelmingly tries to protect RiRi by not telling her Story until Miig deems her ready, and then by assuring her that things will be okay after she does hear it. Once Rose joins Miig's group, Frenchie begins to join Miig and Chi-Boy in making decisions and guiding the group, though in many ways, Frenchie is still a child. He admires his Elders and does whatever he can to imitate their movements and mannerisms, which allows Frenchie the opportunity to experiment with being an adult in a relatively safe environment. A skilled climber, Frenchie often scales pine trees to get a better view of his surroundings. After Rose's arrival, Frenchie begins to conceptualize climbing as a way to care for his family and simultaneously impress Rose. Frenchie begins to question his identity and role in the world after he's unable to save RiRi and shoots Travis for betraying them and bringing about RiRi's death. He also fails to recognize Minerva's sacrifice for what it was until it's too late. Frenchie's sense of being unmoored and sometimes longing for death is heightened when he leads his family to an Indigenous resistance group and discovers Dad there. Frenchie ultimately learns to take pride in his identity as a young Indigenous man and in his family, and eventually comes to terms with his failings.
Frenchie Quotes in The Marrow Thieves
The The Marrow Thieves quotes below are all either spoken by Frenchie or refer to Frenchie. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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"We're all dead anyway. I should make a shish kebab of your kids."
I didn't mean it. I looked at their round eyes, wet and watching but not nervous enough for the threat of a human. Their dad was there, after all, and they knew they were safe. I felt tears collecting behind my own eyes like sand in a windstorm. I opened my mouth...to say what? To apologize to a group of wild guinea pigs? To explain that I hadn't meant what I'd said? To let them know I just missed my family?
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I was nicknamed Frenchie as much for my name as for my people—the Metis. I came from a long line of hunters, trappers, and voyageurs. But now, with most of the rivers cut into pieces and lakes left as grey sludge puckers on the landscape, my own history seemed like a myth along the lines of dragons.
Related Characters: Frenchie (speaker)
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[...] I did have the longest hair of any of the boys, almost to my waist, burnt ombré at the untrimmed edges. I braided it myself each morning, to keep it out of the way and to remind myself of things I couldn't quite remember but that, nevertheless, I knew to be true.
Related Characters: Frenchie (speaker)
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"But we sang our songs and brought them to the streets and into the classrooms—classrooms we built on our own lands and filled with our own words and books. And once we remembered that we were warriors, once we honored the pain and left it on the side of the road, we moved ahead. We were back."
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"How do you have language?" My voice broke on the last syllable. My chest tightened. How could she have the language? She was the same age as me, and I deserved it more. I don't know why, but I felt certain that I did. I yanked my braid out of the back of my shirt and let it fall over my shoulder. Some kind of proof, I suppose.
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It was painful, but I didn't really mind. The more I described my brother, my parents, our makeshift community before Dad left with the Council, the more I remembered, like the way my uncle jigged to heavy metal. Instead of dreaming their tragic forms, I recreated them as living, laughing people in the cool red confines of RiRi's tent as she drifted off.
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From where we were now, running, looking at reality from this one point in time, it seemed as though the world had suddenly gone mad. Poisoning your own drinking water, changing the air so much the earth shook and melted and crumbled, harvesting a race for medicine. How? How could this happen? Were they that much different from us? Would we be like them if we'd had a choice? Were they like us enough to let us live?
Related Characters: Frenchie (speaker)
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"Like how we are motivated to run because of the Recruiters?" Rose jumped in. "And the Recruiters are motivated to run after us because of the schools?"
"Almost," he answered. "We are actually both motivated by the same thing: survival."
"But isn't it just us that's trying to survive? No one's trying to kill those jerk-offs."
"But, nevertheless, they are dying. Mostly killing themselves, mind you. And so they are motivated by the need to be able to survive. And they see that solution in us."
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Isaac didn't have grandparents who'd told residential school stories like campfire tales to scare you into acting right, stories about men and women who promised themselves to God only and then took whatever they wanted from the children, especially at night. Stories about a book that was like a vacuum, used to suck the language right out of your lungs. And I didn't have time to share them, not now.
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He'd lost someone he'd built a life with right in the middle of that life. Suddenly, I realized that there was something worse than running, worse even than the schools. There was loss.
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I nodded back, copying the way he held his mouth. Yes, we would definitely do so. Us men. We'd be vigilant. Chi-Boy turned and started making his way through the trees. I watched him for a minute, and tried to listen. There was nothing—the absence of sound was the only thing the ear picked up. There was no doubt Chi-Boy was the best scout we had, probably the best scout anyone had. I followed close behind, imitating his movements.
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The schools were an ever-spreading network from the south stretching northward, on our heels like a bushfire. Always north. To what end? Now we'd lost RiRi. Now I'd shot a man. Would I even be welcome in the North? I couldn't even protect a little girl.
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"But why? Aren't these supposed to make noise?" Slopper was confused. We'd been told over and over that silence was the only way to move out here, the only way to stay alive.
It was Chi-Boy who answered, out of character. "Sometimes you risk everything for a life worth living, even if you're not the one that'll be alive to live it."
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Everything was different. We were faster without our youngest and oldest, but now we were without deep roots, without the acute need to protect and make better. And I had taken up a spot that'd opened up in the middle of it all, somewhere between desperation and resolve.
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How could anything be as bad as it was when this moment existed in the span of eternity? How could I have fear when this girl would allow me this close? How could anything matter but this small miracle of having someone I could love?
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In them, there is always this feeling, an understanding more than an emotion, of protection. It didn't matter what was happening in the world, my job was to be Francis. That was all. Just remain myself. And now? Well, now I had a different family to take care of. My job was to hunt, and scout, and build camp, and break camp, to protect the others. I winced even thinking about it. My failure. I'd failed at protecting, and now, as a result, I failed at remaining myself.
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There were about fifty people in total, a big enough group that invisibility the way we enjoyed it was out of the question. So they had to live differently, carving out communities in the spaces they felt they could defend.
Related Characters: Frenchie (speaker)
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"I mean we can start healing the land. We have the knowledge, kept through the first round of these blasted schools, from before that, when these visitors first made their way over here like angry children throwing tantrums. When we heal our land, we are healed also." Then he added, "We'll get there. Maybe not soon, but eventually."
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We were desperate to craft more keys, to give shape to the kind of Indians who could not be robbed. It was hard, desperate work. We had to be careful we weren't making things up, half remembered, half dreamed. We felt inadequate. We felt hollow in places and at certain hours we didn't have names for in our languages.
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I took off running, away from camp, the Council, my family: running toward Rose, who was somewhere beyond the birch-beaded edge of the woods, running towards an idea of home that I wasn't willing to lose, not even if it meant running away from the family I had already found.
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I heard it in his voice as Miigwans began to weep. I watched it in the steps that pulled Isaac, the man who dreamed in Cree, home to his love. The love who'd carried him against the rib and breath and hurt of his chest as ceremony in a glass vial. And I understood that as long as there are dreamers left, there will never be want for a dream. And I understood just what we would do for each other, just what we would do for the ebb and pull of the dream, the bigger dream that held us all.
Anything.
Everything.
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Frenchie Character Timeline in The Marrow Thieves
The timeline below shows where the character Frenchie appears in The Marrow Thieves. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Mitch shows Frenchie his find: a big bag of Doritos. He explains that he found it in a... (full context)
Mitch looks almost angry as he scolds Frenchie. Frenchie does as he's told and watches the Recruiter blow his whistle. Mitch starts yelling... (full context)
...that the current schools are based off of the historical ones. Mom shooed Mitch and Frenchie off to bed and the next day, the family packed up to head north. Dad... (full context)
Back in Frenchie's present, he knows that he has to get out of the tree and stay away... (full context)
Frenchie hits the trees by early evening and collapses. He knows that he doesn't have enough... (full context)
Frenchie spends another day running and another night sleeping in the open. He drinks expired meal... (full context)
Frenchie wakes up and hears voices like his parents'. A man gives Frenchie water and then... (full context)
Frenchie explains that Miig and Minerva are the only adults in the group. Chi-Boy is seventeen... (full context)
...far as he's heard, still okay, which is why they're moving north toward them now. Frenchie tells the reader that Miig tells Story every week in some form or another: sometimes... (full context)
Frenchie hears RiRi calling that she can't sleep, and he lies down with her. This is... (full context)
Frenchie is quiet for a moment and then agrees to tell RiRi something about why they're... (full context)
...during Story. She was raised by old people and so speaks like them, which makes Frenchie feel as though she's both the future and the past. One warm night, Rose moodily... (full context)
...the group he's taking hunting that they need to work harder at learning to hunt. Frenchie is thrilled to be with the hunting group; those at the campsite have to babysit... (full context)
...Miig gives the rabbits to Wab to skin and cook. Rose sits down next to Frenchie, and Frenchie says that she feels bad for those that have to stay in the... (full context)
Frenchie dreams that he's in the pine tree, unable to shout at Mitch down below as... (full context)
Frenchie struggles to sleep for a week. He has nightmares about Mom and Dad when he... (full context)
...walk for one hour, wait for two, and then meet back at the starting point. Frenchie has the rifle today and is careful to keep his pace steady, which will make... (full context)
Frenchie lets his mind wander and thinks that the world suddenly went mad when it poisoned... (full context)
As Frenchie listens and thinks, he suddenly hears footsteps and lifts his head. The moose is as... (full context)
As Frenchie returns to the meeting point, he vacillates between feeling good about his decision and ashamed... (full context)
Frenchie says that in a sense, he got the moose: he dreamed about following the moose... (full context)
...save them. Chi-Boy says he'd do anything, and Wab says she'd do everything. Rose takes Frenchie's hand. Miig says that for now they are on the run, but this might change.... (full context)
Frenchie explains that after the Indigenous people left their territories, lots of the surrounding businesses disappeared.... (full context)
...and then begins to hunt for a way to get everyone else in. Miig forces Frenchie to look him in the eye and tells him sternly that nobody is more important... (full context)
...Chi-Boy pulls off the sheet to reveal a green sofa. RiRi and Slopper giggle, and Frenchie feels happy to be in a confined space. He gets up to look behind the... (full context)
...it's clear that there's no threat, he snuggles onto the bed with a silly grin. Frenchie grabs a key and runs to the corresponding room, tailed by RiRi. RiRi is shocked... (full context)
Frenchie hears Wab settle Minerva in a room. Because of her age, Minerva would've spent more... (full context)
Rose catches Frenchie outside the door and gives him a tight smile before heading to her room. Frenchie... (full context)
Frenchie wakes up to hear Minerva coughing. She's sitting in a chair and waves to Frenchie.... (full context)
...sweater. Miig discovers a two-wheeled cart that they can use to pull Minerva. That afternoon, Frenchie wanders around in search of something to convince Miig to stay longer. He hopes that... (full context)
Frenchie is scared and feels like Wab should be alone. Wab's face darkens. She stands, steps... (full context)
...is coming to take Wab away. Nearly hysterical, RiRi asks why people are being murdered. Frenchie wonders how long RiRi was there and what he can do, but Miig calls RiRi... (full context)
Frenchie believes there's something beautiful about the natural world of today. Vines reclaim electrical poles and... (full context)
Frenchie wonders if the Four Winds was good for him. He thinks that it was amazing... (full context)
Frenchie looks back at the resort several times, wondering if they'd stayed if Rose might've come... (full context)
Around noon, Slopper smells cooking. Frenchie corrects him that it's just smoke, and Slopper is confused that there's a fire with... (full context)
Frenchie is upset that he can't share what he knows is a dramatic and exciting story.... (full context)
Frenchie asks Miig to stop, but Miig continues. He says that Tree and Zheegwon were captured... (full context)
Miig tells Frenchie to trust that people who know more are making good decisions for their community. He... (full context)
...dinner, Miig says that tomorrow they'll head northeast, away from the forest fires. Nobody protests. Frenchie stays awake later than anyone else and quietly watches Chi-Boy put the beautiful hat under... (full context)
...sends Chi-Boy out to patrol and asks Tree and Zheegwon to set more alarm wires. Frenchie climbs a tree, hoping that the lunchbox belonged to friendly people. (full context)
Frenchie looks around and notices the cliffs recently formed by the earthquakes. He then notices two... (full context)
They begin to head in the direction of the men. Frenchie can't shake a story that Tree and Zheegwon told a few weeks ago about the... (full context)
Frenchie's family catches the men by noon. They discovered tracks and trash on the way to... (full context)
...greets Miig and bows to Minerva. Minerva is thrilled to hear the language spoken, and Frenchie thinks that if he weren't so anxious, he'd be hanging on every word. When Travis... (full context)
...and share in their stew and bread. Slopper exclaims at the sight of food and Frenchie wonders if Miig saw Wab's reaction. He's also distracted by the food, but he knows... (full context)
Frenchie walks around the clearing and discovers that it's in the shape of a big spoon,... (full context)
...and says that it's the last town in the region. He hands out bread, and Frenchie is hungry enough that he doesn't follow through on his plan to let the girls... (full context)
...Miig to camp in the clearing for the night. Miig seems nervous to stay, but Frenchie knows that leaving this late is also dangerous. Travis assures Miig that they don't mind... (full context)
...fire and the cliff. Miig gives orders for keeping watch but they're still caught unaware. Frenchie wakes up when a body crashes into his tent and onto him. He hears Wab... (full context)
...and Wab chase Lincoln while Zheegwon and Tree tie up Travis. When Travis is secure, Frenchie follows the others into the dark. He trips over Minerva and finds the others at... (full context)
Frenchie feels as though he's totally alone with the boot and the rifle. He turns and... (full context)
Frenchie feels like he's in a trance as they pack up camp and run. He carries... (full context)
On the fourth day, Miig calls Frenchie up to the front of the line. Frenchie complies slowly, thinking that he could just... (full context)
Frenchie thinks of how Mom changed after Dad didn't come back. Frenchie knows that Dad went... (full context)
...with the crates, poured each vial into the ground, and "sang them home." Miig grabs Frenchie's shoulder and says that people sometimes have to do things they never thought they'd do,... (full context)
...days after RiRi's death, Miig stops suddenly and tells everyone to scatter into the trees. Frenchie hears Recruiters' whistles and they run until they can't hear them anymore. Miig stops when... (full context)
...ground with her and Minerva smudges herself with the smoke. At one point, Minerva catches Frenchie's eye and puts a finger to her lips. Frenchie doesn't know why; he's already quiet.... (full context)
Frenchie jerks awake when he hears two whistles. He sees flashlights below and looks down to... (full context)
...and puts the hide into her pack. Outside, Miig declares that they'll keep going north. Frenchie says that he's going to go after Minerva. (full context)
Without RiRi and Minerva, the group is able to move faster. Frenchie thinks that they're without their roots and their reason to make the world better. They... (full context)
The next day, Rose invites Frenchie to hunt for mushrooms with her and he follows her into the woods. They walk... (full context)
Frenchie remembers being with his uncle once when he was a little kid. His uncle told... (full context)
That night, Frenchie jerks awake to the sounds of a fight outside his tent. He pokes the gun... (full context)
The guards lead Frenchie and the group to a hill. Guards appear out of the bush and into a... (full context)
Frenchie can barely breathe—he's never seen a real sweat lodge. Men begin to pour out of... (full context)
Frenchie helps Dad to his living space. He lives in a corner of the cave, so... (full context)
Outside, Frenchie's family is around the fire. Slopper is already asleep. Tree and Zheegwon seem surprised and... (full context)
Frenchie notices that the twins seem more content, and Wab seems to be feeling the same... (full context)
Frenchie wants to kiss her and tell her that he'll never leave, but he thinks of... (full context)
...night, listening to Miig singing and shaking a rattle. His voice moans and sounds pained. Frenchie leaves the tent and watches Miig sitting with a candle and a smudge, singing. When... (full context)
Frenchie's family wakes up early and quickly sets out to work on assigned chores. At lunch,... (full context)
When Frenchie returns to Miig and the group at dusk, General is telling Miig about the social... (full context)
Frenchie realizes that he resents Dad for leaving him with Mom and Mitch. Dad puts his... (full context)
A young man calls Dad and Frenchie to the social and Frenchie hears the drum starting. He hasn't heard drums since he... (full context)
...starts. Many people, including Wab, Chi-Boy, and Slopper, start to dance in a circle, but Frenchie sits and stews jealously. The next dance is a two-step, and Derrick gives his drum... (full context)
Frenchie wakes up early the next morning, grabs the rifle, and creeps out. He checks Rose's... (full context)
Frenchie hears a high whistle and General pulls Frenchie to the ground. Frenchie feels panicky, but... (full context)
Rose looks hurt, which makes Frenchie feel flustered. She asks what he's playing at and calls him Francis, but Frenchie asks... (full context)
Dad returns to his room about an hour later and when he's sure Frenchie is awake, he starts to tell Frenchie how he ended up in the city. He... (full context)
Dad and Frenchie hear someone shouting for Dad and they make their way out of the cave. A... (full context)
...in the morning, head down to hide in the trees alongside the highway. Dad reminds Frenchie before he heads out that the Recruiters think of him as a commodity and instructs... (full context)
Frenchie climbs into his tree near Derrick. Miig gives Frenchie his pouch "for safekeeping," and says... (full context)
...to sing. Miig picks up the song and sings until Minerva is gone. Miig and Frenchie stand, but Rose won't let go. Frenchie stands guard over Rose, and Rose looks up... (full context)
...captives with soup and a blanket. As they bury Minerva, Rose cuts off her braid. Frenchie does the same. It makes him feel vulnerable and increases his grief. Frenchie thinks that... (full context)
...they know to the youth, and they put Slopper in charge. He excels at this. Frenchie explains that they're desperate to create "the kind of Indians who could not be robbed." (full context)
One day, Rose takes down her tent and packs up to leave. Frenchie learns how to write "family" in syllabics and when Rose comes to say goodbye to... (full context)
Frenchie heads back to camp and wanders to Dad's tent. As soon as Frenchie sits down,... (full context)
Frenchie hears three people too close to hide from. He and Rose slide down behind a... (full context)
...joining the expedition, but he decides to stay back and work on maps with Dad. Frenchie teases them about being old, but he feels strangely pessimistic to have two dads now.... (full context)
...to observe the camp. There are two Guyanese women talking happily, one man who reminds Frenchie of Minerva, and two pale men. One has blond hair, the other's hair is wrapped... (full context)
Clarence pulls Rose, Frenchie, and Bullet aside. He says that the pale man is actually Cree; he's fluent, speaks... (full context)
Clarence leads the group back to camp. Frenchie finds himself beside the pale Cree man and asks about his history. The man says... (full context)
The rest of the group catches up. Frenchie turns to see that Isaac is the first one out of the trees. Miig makes... (full context)
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