Critical Analysis on the book Tracks by James Welch Essay

Critical Analysis on the book Tracks by James Welch - Essay pillow slipMisshepeshu, the underwater manito, influences the abundance and availability f land and sea animals which great effect the food supply (Vecsey 74). This matchi manito is credited with most malicious acts happening in or around the water. According to Chirstopher Vecsey, an Ojibwa religion scholar, It could cause rapids and stormy waters it often sank canoes and drowned Indians (74). But it is alike known to shelter and feed those who fell by the ice (Vecsey 74). The very dialectical nature f Misshepeshu is something in which Nanapush and the other tribesmen firmly believed. For example, when Fleur returns to the lake from Argus, the town experiences a period f good fishing and no lost boats. They attri just nowe this to Fleurs ability to keep the lake thing controlled (Erdrich 35). Because the manito f the lake is appeased, people are hesitant to question the relationship that Fleur has with the monsters in fe ar f enraging him. both(prenominal) narratives open with the introduction f Fleur Pillage, the heroine f the novel. Immediately, the reader notices a distinct difference in the two narrators descriptions f Fleurs arrival to the tribe. The tribe elder Nanapush, also the opening narrator, is the first to find Fleur Pillager after an attack on her family. He notes that she is about seventeen years old...and so feverish that shed thrown turned her covers, and now she huddled against the cold wood range, staring and shaking (Erdrich 3). When the reader proceeds to Paulines narrative, they realize that Nanapush never mentioned Fleurs relation to the lake monster. The absence f the Misshepeshu from Nanapushs narrative suggests that he is comfortable with his system f beliefs. His language and tone tells the reader that his is not searching for new meaning in life or religion. He was elevated a pure breed Chippewa and he embraces these roots. To Nanapush, the lake monster has always been a part f his struggle for survival. He has seen both the good and the evil f Misshepeshu, never questioning its actions but living with them.In contrast to Nanapushs narrative, Paulines is overshadowed by a preoccupation with the lake monster f Matchimanito. When she introduces Fleur, she shows no concern for Fleurs well being, but rather astonishment over Fleurs ability to evade the death f Misshepeshu. Pauline describes the monsterErdrichs choice f the word devil suggests to the reader that Pauline has been schooled in Christianity. This is reaffirmed to the reader when it is learned f Paulines desire to a join the convent. The Christian vision, now branded in her mind by missionaries, will not allow her to view the water manito as a contributing part f her life, but only as the ultimate sinner the Christian Devil. upset(a) as to her religion and her identity, Pauline ultimately moves into a convent to live in seclusion f the tribe and Misshepeshu. But she is drawn away each dayli ght to visit the lake where Fleur and Eli live, unable to cease the thoughts about the monster who, she claims, is her tempter. The dual nature f the lake creature goes against her new beliefs as a Christian and is the source f her misunderstanding. Whereas the nuns at the convent pray to one God representing the absolute perfection f