Essay Questions

What is the symbolic meaning of Waterlily's marriage to Sacred Horse?

Waterlily's marriage embodies sacrifice because she does not marry out of love, but for the exchange for the two horses meant to be gifted to her late grandmother. Before the death of Goku (Waterlily's grandmother), her uncle had promised to gift her with two horses. Unfortunately, the two horses are stolen. The youthful man's family is ready to offer two horses in exchange for Waterlily. Waterlily accepts to get married to the young man so that her uncle can get the two horses to honor her Goku. Consequently, Waterlily sacrifices her love in exchange for a gift presented to her late grandmother.

How does the author tackle the issue of culture and traditions in the book ‘Waterlily’?

The book is entirely about the traditions and the mysticism of the Dakota women. The readers are introduced to the main character, Waterlily, and they follow her throughout her life. The Dakota women are keen on observing the Sundance, a traditional annual event that all families are expected to attend. The readers also come across the ritual of honoring the death when Waterlily's uncle gifts her late grandmother with two horses. Additionally, there is wife inheritance, which is demonstrated after Sacred Horse's death (Waterlily's husband). After the death of Sacred Horse, his siblings ask water Lily to lure one of her husband's cousins to marry her so that he can take care of her newborn.

Do you think that fate is among the primary themes in the book ‘Waterlily’?

The theme of fate is evident in the book because, at last, Waterlily marries the man of her dreams, Lowanla. Waterlily first met this handsome boy at the Sun Dance ritual. Waterlily got attracted to him, and she offered to give him water though he denied. The boy did not seem to understand that Waterlily was deeply in love with him. As fate turns out, Lowanla is the cousin of the late Sacred Horse, and he is the one to inherit Waterlily. Therefore, the two ends being husband and wife out of fate.