97 pages • 3 hours read
Louise ErdrichTracks
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Topics
What role does Fleur play in the novel? She does not speak for herself; instead, two narrators reveal her life story. How does this method of narration affect how the reader sees Fleur? Explain.
Is Eli Kashpaw a worthy husband for Fleur? Why or why not? Explain Eli’s character in terms of his relationship with Fleur.
Nanapush becomes an elder in the tribe at a young age. How does he fulfill his role as an elder? How does he fail? Explain.
Margaret Kashpaw betrays Fleur. What effect does that have on how you view her character? Why does Nanapush stay with her? Explain.
Choose one of the main themes of the novel and explain its significance. How is the theme you chose important in helping the reader understand the story? You may choose one of the themes listed here or choose one of your own.
Why does Fleur try to kill herself? Why does Fleur cut through the base of the trees in the forest around her cabin? How are these two actions related? Explain.
Why does Lulu deny her mother? In what ways is Lulu like Fleur? In what ways is she different from Fleur? Explain.
What is Nanapush’s medicine? Describe and define it. How does his medicine differ from Pauline’s? Explain.
Using your own historical research of this time period, compare the events depicted in the novel with the actual history of the Chippewa peoples. How accurate are Erdrich’s pictures of events? Does she embellish events or portray them accurately? Describe what happened to the Chippewa people between 1912 and 1924. In particular, what effect did sending children to government boarding schools have on the tribe? Explain.
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By Louise Erdrich
