The Indians for the Trees
One of the most often quoted metaphors in an Erdrich book is one which compares the indigenous tribes to trees because it doesn’t just act as symbolism of the strength and power of the Indians, but also associates the native people with the native oak which loggers are so eager to perpetrate a genocide upon:
“We Indians are like a forest…the trees left standing get more sun, grow thick.”
Sensory Epiphany
Coitus interruptus is a term to describe a premature end to sexual intercourse after it has already begun. The intended relations between Pauline and Napoleon don’t even get to that point because of a sensory epiphany on the part Napoleon who begins to act toward Pauline:
“like a dog sensing the presence of a tasteless poison in its food.”
The Tornado
A tornado presents a wealth of possibilities for a writer well-equipped with an imagination for figurative language. The trick, of course, is in discovering creative ways to take advantage of that particular weather phenomenon which hasn’t already been done to death. Most writers generally tend to focus on the power of the wind—and hopefully have the sense to stay away from train metaphors—but anyone who has ever been a tornado warning can attest to the fact that even without the appearance of a twister itself, it is the sky that is most threatening. Pauline’s simile is unusual but apt:
“The sky was so low that I felt the weight of it like a door.”
Genocide by Epidemic
Early on in the book, Nanapush is relating the story of the consequential impact upon the population of his tribe resulting from an outbreak of pneumonia. One typically thinks of genocidal depopulation of North American indigenous tribes resulting from immediate expiration at the hands of military weaponry, but Nanapush presents a portrait of another aspect of history less well-known and even more horrific:
“Our tribe unraveled like a coarse rope, frayed at either end as the old and new among us were taken.”
Land, Money and Promises
Nanapush is the elder of the tribe who has seen much and knows much and carefully dispense wisdom attained through pain and grief and suffering. He is also informed enough to know that there is only one golden rule when it comes to economics: he who controls the land controls everything else:
“Land is the only thing that lasts life to life. Money burns like tinder, flows off like water. And as for government promises, the wind is steadier.”
