Motorcycles And Sweetgrass By Drew Hayden Taylor

Drew Hayden Taylor’s “Motorcycles and Sweetgrass” contains numerous examples of symbolism, many of which pertain to the plot and themes of the story, and are important to be aware of when reading. Throughout the novel “Motorcycles and Sweetgrass” by Drew Hayden Taylor, symbolism is demonstrated through the relationships between humans and animals, along with symbolisms found within objects that recur within the story. The interactions John has with animals plays a large role in the symbolisms within “Motorcycles & Sweetgrass”, with raccoons symbolizing a trickster figure through many indigenous cultures, and crows being symbolic of cunning and intelligence throughout Anishinaabe beliefs. At the beginning of the novel, when John arrives at the

Crows can also be representative of a big event -usually that of which causes change - coming in the near future. Due to crows only being mentioned after the arrival of John, it can be inferred that John is going to play a role. This crow, positioned atop the sign reading “WELCOME TO OTTER LAKE, HOME OF THE ANISHIWABE- PEOPLE” (31), can also be symbolic of something looming over Otter Lake, again it can be inferred that John has something to do with the events to come within the First Nations reserve town. Similarly to the symbolism of the crow, symbolism can be found in the raccoons in “Motorcycles and Sweetgrass”. Raccoons can be found all throughout the story, symbolizing the trickster figure, who’s witty intelligence and cunning personality makes it undemanding for the raccoon to trick people into their games, which more often than not have more benefit to the raccoon. Similarly to the crow, John comes across “a sizable raccoon perched on a large oak tree branch, looking down at him” (92). While the raccoon is symbolic on its own, both oak wood and the raccoon looking down on John can be seen as symbolic as