Power and Translations

In both Power and Translations by Brian Friel the question of cultural identity is asked. In Translations, the character Owen grapples with his Irish identity while he is changing the names of his town to English while working for the British. Owen eventually decides to remain true to his Irish identity and quits working for the British by lying to the British officals and telling them his brother is "at a wake" (82). Similarly, in Power Omishto seems to be straddling both the modern American world and her Native American heritage and when her loyalties are questioned she must decide what culture she wants to embrace. Omishto is influenced by her Aunt Ama and fathers memory of her Native American culture. Yet, her mother pushes her to accept the Westernized ways and leave the tribe life. Although, Omishto does not live on the reservation she is still very much in tune with nature in her own way as well as her heritage being something she has left from her father. From the chapters I've read, her boat is a metaphor for her Native American heritage that makes her feel safe when she says "I am curled inside an opening leaf" (1). While her mothers house with her stepfather is a metaphor for the Westernized culture that makes her wary and feel unsafe. Both Owen and Omishto seem to be straddling two different worlds that are demanding they only pick one. It is because of this that they have to decide which way they want there culture to be identified.

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