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People Of The Whale By Linda Hogan Sparknotes

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Linda Hogan’s People of the Whale (2008) is a novel that truly embodies the magical realism genre. Hogan brings a fantastical lens to a realistic setting that dives deep into the bumpy development of complex characters. The protagonist, Thomas Just, belongs to a whale-hunting Native American community settled in the northwesternmost part of Washington state. This fictional community is called Dark River and its A'atsika people thrive on their connection with the natural world, specifically the ocean, and especially with what it has to offer both spiritually and physically. Their tradition is rich and strong, with elders showing younger folks the ways of life. Thomas leaves the community to fight in the Vietnam War and leaves behind his pregnant …show more content…

Ruth preaches against this whale hunt and also claims that it is unsustainable and that it is bringing a dividing factor to the community. These modern approaches to what the A’atsika people most pride themselves on are bringing more harm and tension to the community as a whole. The A’atsika community is an indigenous tribe that faces the complexities of the modern world and learns how to navigate it. “The Consequences of Modernity for Indigenous Peoples: An International Appraisal” is a journal by Stephen Allen that discusses the consequences of modernity for Indigenous people. He examines how processes such as globalization, economic development, and cultural homogenization affect indigenous peoples' identities, rights, and livelihoods. Additionally, Allen explores the ever-changing attitudes and rights toward Indigenous culture and people. Some of the points Allen makes apply to Hogan’s A’atsika community as it deals with its own identity in the modern world. Allen claims that indigenous societies should engage in modern practices, but this will result in consequences. Allen writes, “However, by engaging with modernity, indigenous identities are undoubtedly being re-negotiated” (Allen 15). …show more content…

Authors Stephen Allen, Laura A. Pearson, and Pirjo Ahokas speak on this type of Indigenous resistance that can be connected to the fight against Western modernity and the threat that it brings to communities like Dark River. These authors bring a deeper understanding of the novel's significance within the context of broader discussions on indigenous identity. The ever-changing world that surrounds the A’atsika people conveys the consequences of modernity whilst highlighting the spiritual strength of its people. Furthermore, Hogan depicts the struggle to preserve the foundations of this community’s relationships, values, and resilience in the face of profound change. In essence, Hogan's People of the Whale (2008) offers a narrative on the resilience and enduring spirit of indigenous peoples, weaving together elements of fantasy and reality to create a story that resonates with themes of hope, redemption, and the enduring power of human connection. Overall, the modernizing world has a drastic impact on the novel’s A’atsika community, which creates tension within relationships, identities, values, and

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