Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich Entry 1

         The novel begins by introducing June Kashpaw. She is an Native American who dies on her time off the reservation. She is described as a woman who likes the company of men. Connecting to June, the author separates the chapters into different people who are somehow connected to June or the Kashpaw family in both past and present time. For example, the second chapter is from Albertine Johnson’s view, June’s niece, who discusses her view of her aunt, family, and life on the reservation compared to life off in present time. It goes in-depth of the relationships of all those around her including June’s sons. Transition to the Lazarre family, Erdrich introduces Marie Lazarre who is a victim of a crazy nun, Leopalda. However she escapes the convent and runs into Nector Kashpaw, connecting the two different social class families since Nector ends up marrying Marie and betraying his true love Lulu Nanapush. The views switch back and forth between Nector, Lulu, and Marie explaining the intertwining relationships of the Native American families from the drunks in the Lazarre family to the affair of Nector and Lulu and even the return of Marie to the convent. The relationships, feelings, causes, and effects are all explained throughout the novel.

            It was interesting to read about the affairs taking place on the reservation. I had never thought that Native Americans had relations outside marriage because to me they always seemed so strong in their morals. After doing some research on Native Americans I took notice that the characteristics and life are accurately portrayed. The novel accurately portrays a major problem that is seen on reservations, alcoholism, through the Lazarre family. It also illustrates the treatment of Native American women. Erdrich mentions event of abuse between King Jr. and Lynette in multiple instances which is usually evident on reservations.

In my research it showed that there is discrimination for Native American women off the reservation. However, in the novel this is proven both on and off the reservation. The discrimination is illustrated through the stories of abuse as well as the expectations of Native American women. Two expectations especially stand out to me. One is that Albertine’s mother is afraid she will become a career girl and forget about marriage. This illustrates how women seem to be expected to stay on the reservation and raise a family. The second expectation is written in the chapter narrated by Albertine where she states, “Indian woman’s nothing but an easy night” (9). This horrifies me because the discrimination makes society believe that Native American women are good for one thing. Connecting this to real life, it seems to be evident by the cases of abuse and sexual abuse of Native American women. In the novel, June illustrates this expectation and even seems to believe the expectation herself because of what society has always shown her. The relationships are interesting and give different viewpoints of the story but are sometimes overwhelming. However, I enjoy the different perspectives though sometimes gruesome, horrific, or immoral.