Haunted by history: Louise Erdrich's 'Tracks.'

Article Abstract:

Louise Erdrich's 'Tracks' is a tale of the dying Chippewa Indian population during the early 19th century, narrated by Nanapush and Pauline Puyat, the last living members of their families. The characters try to establish history by reconstructing the past. While mourning the dead, the characters identify liminally with the dead, and long for their own deaths. The survivors feed on the ghosts of dead families and learn to digest the past. Erdrich's novel is a contemporary Ghost Dance, which promotes the survival of Indians, and suggests that translation is essential to cultural survival.

Evaluation, Criticism and interpretation, Tracks (Book), Erdrich, Louise

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How smooth their language: authenticity and interculturalism in the 'Life of Black Hawk'

Article Abstract:

An analysis is presented on the reliability of using written texts of conversations to draw conclusions about the ethnic representationalism of the speaker, using as an example an exchange between Black Hawk, a Sauk, and United States authorities in the early 1800s. The author argues that the encounters themselves, not their written expression, are a more important influence in obscuring authenticity.

United States, Social aspects, Biography, Intercultural communication, Group identity, Social identity, Critical Essay, Black Hawk

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The Pocahontas Story in early America

Article Abstract:

The author discusses the historic reinvention of the Pocahontas Story in light of the qualities of enlightened civility and refinement found in post-revolutionary America. Problematic issues in the era's sentimental culture and philosophy are examined.

Analysis, United States history, United States history, 1600-1775 (Colonial period), American literature, Sentimentality, Pocahontas, Sentimentalism in literature, American literature (Early national period)

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