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In this article, written by Jennifer Sergi, she studies Louise Erdrich’s style and storytelling in her novel Tracks. Sergi describes how Erdrich tells the story of the Chippewa’s and their history and traditions while keeping “the Indian way.” Sergi goes on to describe the two “storytellers” that are portrayed in the novel. The viewpoints are of two very different people. The first is Pauline, who is of “mixed-blood” and a catholic, while the other is Nanapush, one of the wise tribal leaders.
Sergi praises Erdrich for wanting to keep the oral traditions alive by putting them into a story for her readers to appreciate. It isn’t a book full of traditions and myths from the Native Americans, but it is a background and history of them with their traditions mixed in. Nanapush tells the stories to his adopted granddaughter while incorporating her and her life into the stories. Erdrich also incorporates a central character in this novel that is also found in many other Native American myths or traditions. The character is the “trickster” which is very similar to Nanapush. Sergi states that Erdrich seems to be very interested in protecting and portraying the Chippewa background and cultural to her readers.
Sergi finds that there are many authors, usually of the Native American descent, that are very interested in turning the oral traditions into books or short stories in order to carry on their culture. Erdrich uses many descriptive words, phrases, and sentences in her novel to attract the readers and to help them understand how the Chippewa’s felt. Sergi articulates that Erdrich gives the story a “poetic voice” to the novel.
I thought this was a good source because illustrates how Erdrich writes her novels to be truthful and to subconsciously inform her readers of the oral traditions/stories of the Chippewa's. It was also very interesting to read about the "trickster" character.
I thought this was a good source because illustrates how Erdrich writes her novels to be truthful and to subconsciously inform her readers of the oral traditions/stories of the Chippewa's. It was also very interesting to read about the "trickster" character.
Most cultures have a trickster -- Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk is one. Or pretty much Jack in any fairy tale. Coyote in some other Native American Traditions. Also Brer Rabbit in southern folktales. They topple the giants and show that the little guy can win.
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