The Game of Silence

In Part 3, Erdrich emphasizes The Supportive Influence of Family, which is a vital component of survival, especially in the harsh winter months. For example, Omakayas barely escapes death by hypothermia but is saved by her grandmother’s love and care. During her healing process, Omakayas is metaphorically revived by the love of the family, and the narrative pointedly states that “the tender care of her family transform[s] [the cold] to warmth” (174). Thus, the consistency of her family’s dedication helps Omakayas to  understand her own role, for the unconditional love and devotion of her family shows her how best to approach the world.

Significantly, the concept of family extends far beyond the connections between blood relations, for Old Tallow is also part of Omakayas’s family through their shared tribal identity. Old Tallow becomes a notable hero in the story, standing as an icon of female strength and embodying the virtues of old age and wisdom. Old Tallow is a pillar of strength, but her openness to vulnerability also teaches Omakayas that people are multi-layered, for when the woman suffers severe injury and frostbite, the girl is surprised to see “one—just one—tear spring from the corner of the woman’s eye” and later “wishe[s] she’d caught that tear,” reflecting, “It was rare. Probably, it was the only tear Old Tallow had ever shed” (183). As Omakayas learns more about the person she is meant to become, she also learns more about the adults she admires. Old Tallow’s tear is a symbol of her vulnerability, and this moment teaches Omakayas that all human beings learn strength while maintaining their deep emotional well. Old Tallow is a human being like anybody else, even though Omakayas puts her on a pedestal. Omakayas’s idolization of Old Tallow is deepened through her recognition that Old Tallow has her own fears.

In Part 3, Omakayas demonstrates her steadfast commitment to her belief system, her history, and her culture, highlighting The Journey toward Self-Reliance. Although she is curious to learn more about the culture of the white people, she does not allow her own beliefs to become compromised in the process. This internal boundary becomes apparent when she and her father visit Father Baraga, who only agrees to teach them English if they will submit to being baptized. The narrative makes Deydey and Omakayas’s position quite clear, for although the young girl is interested in learning “the scratching and the meanings of the marks, […] she wouldn’t give her spirit in return” (188). Omakayas’s curiosity ends where the sacrifice of her identity begins, and she honors her family legacy and the long history of her tribe by refusing to be seduced by the power and influence of the white community. This decision makes her a hero because it implies that no matter what happens to her tribe, Omakayas will always remain true to her cultural background and pass her tribe’s beliefs on to the next generation, even amidst the pressures of outside influences.

Another avatar of the next generation is Bizheens, for he symbolizes a hopeful future despite the current hardships. As an infant, Bizheens represents unconditional love and innocence, and Omakayas recognizes this when she reflects that “Bizheens was the only one who would help her keep her heart hopeful. He had survived, after all, when everything looked impossible […] Bizheens […] didn’t understand what had happened to him in his life. He only knew that he loved” (199). While most of the Ojibwe community worries about the future, Bizheens represent the simple joy of living in the present. His joy, his learning, and his love are proof that external conflict does not necessarily destroy the internal strength of an individual or a community. His presence serves as a reminder that no matter what the white government does to ruin the Ojibwe tribe, their strength will always be found in their history, their legacy, and their belief in the future.

Part 3 also utilizes a plot twist, in which Cloud returns and tells his tragic story. His narrative adds tension and confirms the foreboding tone that Erdrich develops through the first two parts of the novel. Another literary device that is important in Part 3 is the symbolism of winter. In literature, winter is often used as a metaphor for hibernation, death, and endings. However, implicit in such bleak imagery is also the promise of a rebirth in the springtime. In The Game of Silence, winter is brutal, but it also brings Omakayas closer to her family. It is through the brutality of winter that Omakayas steps into the next part of her character development.