Erdrich writes in a very modern style, but in a unique way. When I read her stories I feel like she puts a lot of her self into what she writes. I feel like she truly believes in the themes, motives and spiritual content of what she is writing. Each chapter in Love Medicine is narrated by a different character, which shows the different perspectives of their society and gives a better understanding of who that character is. These stories are very often from the first-person perspective of who-ever is telling the story. However, there are five chapters that are told from a third-person perspective. The tone of the novel is very conversational, making it seem more realistic and personal. Also, it’s indicative of the traditional storytelling in Native American culture. However, it also shows a bit of the Euro-Indian experience especially through the younger generations who have been forced by government policy to accept and assimilate to Euro-American culture (“freebooknotes.com”).
The Anti-western ideas are present in the texts, but not outright culpable for the characters problems. Some of these things that she writes against the Western culture are Gordie’s extreme alcoholism, Henry Lamartine Jr.’s post-tramatic stress after war and his somewhat suicide, Nector’s affair, Gerry’s imprisonment and the need for material things, such as a red convertible. Even June’s death can be related to writing against western ideas. The only positive towards the Western culture is Albertine, who escapes the reservation and attends a University and seems to live a perfectly normal life outside of the American-Indian culture. Another big component that goes against society today is the loss of a cultural identity. Erdrich goes on to show this loss of culture between the two geneations, the new, Americanized generation with the older, cultural tribe, by saying, “They gave you worthless land to start with and then they chopped it out from under your feet. They took your kids away and stuffed the English language in their mouth.” (“Freebooknotes.com”).
Although individual Indians today vary in the extent to which they follow, and many have drifted towards western society, tribal traditions, their worldviews and values continue to reflect those of their ancestors. There are many themes in Love Medicine, which relate with this idea that American-Indian culture is still alive through the new generations. Some of these themes include abandonment, connection to land, searching for identity and self-knowledge, and survival. Also, the closeness and interconnectedness of the entire family and tribe is emphasized throughout the book. In the article Introduction to Indian Literature, they state the same themes and ideas which occur in Love Medicine, such as an emphasis on the importance of living in harmony with the physical and spiritual universe, the power of thought and word to maintain this balance, a deep reverence for the land, and a strong sense of community (Ruoff 118-198).
"Love medicine ain't what brings him back to you, Grandma. No, it's something else. He loved you over time and distance, but he went off so quick he never got the chance to tell you how he loves you, how he doesn't blame you, how he understands." I think this quote from the book shows a lot of the themes said above, such as the interconnectedness of the entire family , abandonment, identity, self-knowledge, survival and intense belief of the spiritual world.
Works Citied
"Love Medicine." Freebooknotes.com . 2006. Wikipedia, Web. 12 Nov 2009. <>.
Ruoff, A. Lavonne Brown. "Introduction to American Indian Literature." 118-198. Print.
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