Chippewa Beliefs In Louise Erdrich's The Round House

It may be more expensive on some filesystems then others. In Louise Erdrich's, The Round House, Ojibwe/Chippewa beliefs are evident in crucial moments of the narrative as well as underlying themes to the plot. These beliefs help convey the story of Joe and the struggles his family and people on the reservation face. The Ojibwe religious beliefs of spirits, dreams carrying meaning, and a connection with an individual's doodem, impacts many characters throughout the novel. Joe and those around him learn how to make their way through life and find their place in the world while facing major dilemmas, because of their spiritual experiences. Within the first few pages of The Round House, the idea of visions from prayers strikes importance to foreshadow

“It was shallow along the edges, and I’d seen a heron there last time I went. All the herons and cranes and other shorebirds were my doodemag, my luck.” (Erdrich 134) Joe would have frequent interaction with those with non- Ojibwe blood in the entire plot of the story. This relates to what his doodem stands for, “The crane stands in the water observing the world above the water line. Because the crane observes the outside world, the Crane clan is known as the Outside Chief. The outside chief is responsible for negotiating with people from other communities.” (Anishnaabeg Bimaadiziwin: An Ojibwe People's Resource) Joe had close relations with Sonjia, then investigative, deep conservations with Linda Wishakob about herself and her brother Linden. Joe was acting as a tribal member who dealt with those outside of his tribe. Perhaps if Joe did not identify with his doodem as the crane, but rather another doodem, he would not have gone to such lengths to uncover the truth and get justice for his

As it is intended for a place of prayer, ceremonies, and sanctity. The roundhouse is remembered in a very different light from the vile acts of assault, rape, and murder that occurred to Geraldine and Mayla at the hands of Linden. To Geraldine, Mayla and any other Native American, a place of holiness is regarded in the highest respects, for what Linden did not regard nor care for while in the midst of his acts of rage against the Native American women. Despite the defilement that occurred in the roundhouse, the Ojibwe people stay true to their religion and beliefs. And in the end, the man who defiled the roundhouse would end up dead for his