Characters
Who's Joe?
Joe is the main character
"I was tired, my brain hurt, but I looked at her like she was crazy"(14) - Joe C.
Where was the attack?
The Round House building, a tribal lodge and official building on the reservation
Familial support
Learning to accept your family for there flaws, and always supporting them.
Who's Geraldine?
Joe's mom
"Had nearly severed my mothers Spirit from her body"(45) - Joe C.
Where does the book take place?
1988, Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota
How is trauma explored?
1- Geraldine experiences paralyzing depression after her attack
2- Joe realising that his is a killer and coping with the loss of his childhood
“I thought about my father sitting in the wheeling gloom downstairs, and my mother in a black bedroom with the shades drawn against tomorrow's sunrise”(301) - Joe C
Whos Bazil?
Joe's dad and a judge for the Chippewa Reservation
Why is the book worth reading?
It powerfully explores the justice system, finding your identity, and dealing with trauma through the eyes of a Native American teenager.
Cappy and Joe's friendship
1- Killing Linden together
2- Learning about relationships
Who's Sonja?
Joe's aunt, girlfriend of Joe's uncle Whitey
Who is Louise Erdrich?
An author who fights for Native American rights.
What was Joe and Sonja's relationship
1- Aunt and nephew
2- Joe's crush
"She treated me like someone older than I as, and this had continued"(260) - Joe C.
3- Mooshum and Sonja's relationship
4- Became rich together
"under Sonja's direction"(146) - Joe C.
What was the name of the attacker?
Linden Lark
How are Native Americans discriminated against in the practice of law?
1- Gray areas between Native and non-Native land
2- Struggles to get jurisdiction against sexual violence
"We want the right to prosecute criminals of all races on all lands within our original boundaries"(229/230) - Bazil C.
Why did Linden Lark attack Geraldine?
1- Mayla Wolfskin and Governor wanting to keep the baby
2- Linda Wiskgob
3- Money