The Night Watchman Sparknotes

Louise Erdrich's novel, "The Night Watchman," is a powerful and poignant exploration of the challenges faced by Native Americans in the mid-twentieth century, particularly those who are forced to navigate the complex and often-violent landscape of American society. The novel centers on the character of Thomas Wazhashk, who becomes involved in a political struggle to prevent the termination of the tribe's treaty rights; and Patrice Paranteau, a young worker at a jewel bearing plant who seeks to find her missing sister. Through Patrice’s journey, Erdrich sheds light on the difficult and often-overlooked issue of sexual violence faced by Native American women and the historical trauma that underlies it. Erdrich brings attention to the sexual

She shows how the legacy of colonization, forced assimilation, and the destruction of Native American cultures has left deep scars that continue to impact the lives of Native Americans today. This trauma has made Native American women particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, as they often face multiple layers of discrimination and marginalization such as: Tto seek police assistance for an Indian woman was almost sure to put her in the wrong. No matter what happened, she would be the one blamed and punished. Erdrich shows how the loss of traditional cultural practices, language, and land has eroded the social and economic structures that once protected Indigenous women and created a climate of vulnerability. "Violence is so much a part of life that it is barely noticed. It is the steady drumbeat of the heart of the people, the constant humming in the background, the whine and squeal of the train that runs through the reservation at all hours." This historical context highlights the systemic nature of sexual violence faced by Native American women, and the urgent need for acknowledging and addressing this issue in contemporary society. Erdrich's book, "The Night Watchman," connects strongly to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement, which has gained increasing attention in recent years. The MMIW movement seeks to draw attention to

This makes their experiences feel more personal and affect the reader more. Through her characters, Erdrich shows the strength, resilience, and courage of Native Americans in the face of immense adversity, both internal and external. Also, while the novel is set in the 1950s, Erdrich uses minimal mentions of the technology or dates of the time; making the book and its exigence feel timeless. By making the novel feel timeless, she strengthens the message that Native American woman have experienced sexual violence a trauma for decades and are continuing to face it to this