In “Head Cook at Weddings and Funerals” by Vi Plotnikoff. Marusa’s character is displayed a rebellious person. In the short story, Marusa has an upcoming wedding, in which the narrator is helping her prepare. In the process, Marusa show’s the narrator and the narrator’s mother a wedding dress she had ordered off a catalogue. The narrator insists that she should tell her mother, which Marusa responds, “‘It’s my wedding and I should wear whatever I want. But I want you to tell her. She won’t listen to me.”(30). She shows a little cowardliness, as she is unwilling to confront her mother about the wedding dress. On the day of the wedding, Marusa and her mother conflict about the dress. Marusa was still persistent on using the dress she purchased while her mother had insisted to change the gown. Her rebellious nature begins to apply to the narrator, as the narrator chooses to support Marusa through her decision by holding her hand in front of their parents. The narrator tells Marusa, “‘It’s your wedding, after all.’”(45). The narrator’s mother explains to Marusa that she should obey Marusa’s mother’s orders. Marusa later gives in, and she is seen wearing a traditional wedding dress. This portrays Marusa’s rebellious nature was slowly drifting away, as she is unable to defy the communities traditional culture. In the end of the story, Marusa is seen becoming a typical housewife, taking care of children and “becoming an expert cook, her pirahi pastry light, her borsch renowned.” (52). This marks the end of her rebellious nature, as she becomes another person of this conservative community, rather a person with a free spirit.
