One Fleur, Two Lenses
Louise Erdrich's novel Tracks combines two different narrations from two very different narrators to tell the story of, among others, the enigmatic Fleur Pillager. I hesitate to call her the protagonist of the novel, but she is the one constant in both narrations, and the first two chapters, which are indicative of things to come, focus on her presence. The first narrator, Nanapush, tells tales of the history of the tribe (Anishinabe), his past, and his experiences with Fleur. He is the more positive narrator, providing humor for the audience and consistent support for Fleur. Pauline Puyat, the second narrator, focuses more on her own life but offers important insight into aspects of Fleur that Nanapush can't. Nanapush
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Nanapush claims to be a father figure to Fleur, and she recognizes him as such. He is an elder member of the tribe, commanding some respect, and is privy to most of the tribe gossip. He relates this gossip to the reader, often neither confirming nor debunking it. Much of this gossip is surrounding Fleur, and the fact that Nanapush even considers the superstitions of the tribe show that although Nanapush thinks well of Fleur, he recognizes that the qualities many accuse her of having exist. His relating of tribal gossip also provides an extra perspective towards Fleur, one of scorn. Nanapush’s opinion of Fleur is most tellingly portrayed during his conversation with Eli when he mentions that men around her usually die, and that “[he] was safe from Fleur because… she was almost a relative” (Erdich 43). He clearly affirms the people’s belief that she has some sort of malicious power, but he also reasserts the fatherly fondness he feels. He also makes it clear that he respects her for being as independent a woman as she is, and for being as strong a survivor as she is. He is also an admirer of those who stick to the traditional ways, as Fleur does. He offers up people’s perception of her, and gives his own, devaluing neither. This allows for the portrayal of the Tribe's perspective, while overall painting Fleur in a positive, although