The Night Watchmanis a novel byLouise Erdrichfirst published on March 3, 2020, byHarperCollins.[1]The novel is set in the 1950s. This is Erdrich's sixth standalone novel followingFuture Home of the Living God.The novel was inspired by the life of Erdrich's grandfather who motivated and inspired other members of theTurtle Mountain Reservationto resist theIndian termination policiesof the 1940s-1960s.[2]The Night Watchmanis the first novel that Erdrich has written that is set on theTurtle Mountain Reservation.[3]
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Louise Erdrich |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Contemporary Native American fiction |
| Published | March 3, 2020 |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Hardcover & Paperback |
| Pages | 464 |
| ISBN | 9780062671196 |
In 2021, the novel was awarded thePulitzer Prize for Fiction.[4]
Writing and composition
editIn the letters written by her grandfather detailing his resistance against termination bills meant to assimilateOjibwepeople into broader American society through a variety of means, including the end offederal recognition of the sovereignty of indigenous tribes.[5]Erdrich has referred to the letters as "[...] beautiful, full of humor and storytelling."[6]She basedThe Night Watchmanon his loving personality and commitment to his tribe.[7]
This historical fiction provides detailed descriptions of surroundings and relationships between characters. Alongside the political storyline, readers follow a variety of other characters through daily life on the reservation, family tragedy, bo xing matches, and romance.[1]It is written in third person and follows a number of characters, and in some instances, animals.[8]The story switches narrators between other characters in the book to give a different perspective.[9]
Plot
editThomas Wazhashk, a night watchman at ajewel bearingplant and anOjibweCouncilor, works to comprehend the consequences of a newtermination billdrafted byArthur Vivian Watkinsheading to the floor of theUnited States Congress.[1]In 1953, Thomas and otherOjibwepeople begin to fear the implications of this bill.
As Thomas tries to save his tribe from termination, his niece Patrice embarks on a journey toMinneapolisin order to find her sister, Vera.[1]Patrice Paranteau, a young Ojibwe woman and a former high school valedictorian, balances the demands of both modern and traditional life.[10]She works at the jewel bearing plant and earns just enough to help her mother Zhanaat and her brother Pokey.[1]Patrice's alcoholic father comes home sporadically to threaten the family for cash. Patrice uses her saved money to look for her sister Vera, who vanished after moving toMinneapoliswith her husband. During her journey, Patrice encounters abuse and danger.[1]
The lives of the young Ojibwe boxer, Wood Mountain and his mother, Juggie Blue intersect with those of many others living on the reservation as they each make the best out of their respective circumstances.[1]
Characters
editThomas Wazhask —Thomas is a kindhearted man, a husband, and a father who spends his nights as a Watchmen in a jewel bearing plant in Turtle Mountain. He becomes politically involved when he reads the Indian Termination Bill and begins to organize against it.[2]Wazhask translates to "muskrat" in Ojibwe and is pronouncedWa-shush-k.[11]While unfortunately locked outside of his place of work during a snowstorm in the night, Thomas experiences a vision where he describes seeing Jesus Christ and others.[12]
Patrice Paranteau —Patrice (also known as Pixie) is a strong, willful 19 year old who is determined to find her missing older sister, Vera. She ventures to the city and takes up a job performing at a bar while pursuing various leads towards her sister's whereabouts.[13]
Vera Paranteau —Vera is Pixie's older sister who is missing in Minneapolis and has had a baby.[14]
Pokey Paranteau —Pokey is Pixie's younger brother.
Zhanaat Paranteau —Mother of Pokey, Vera, and Patrice Paranteau, Zhanaat lives on the reservation and taught Patrice of traditional ways of living.[15]
Lloyd Barnes —A local math teacher at the reservation school. He is referred to as "Hay Stack" by members of the community because of his blonde hair. It is well known among the community that he desires a romantic relationship with Patrice Paranteau.[1]
Wood Mountain —A young boxer under the tutelage of Lloyd Barnes and the son of Juggie Blue. He has a crush on Patrice, but he focuses on helping Patrice find her missing sister Vera. He does not pursue Patrice in the same way Barnes does. He fights against Joe Wobleszynski at the Battle Royale to raise money for Thomas and the other members of the community council to travel to Washington, D.C..[1]
Millie Cloud —The daughter of Louis Pipestone and half-sister of Grace Pipestone. Millie is a college student studying economics at theUniversity of Minnesota.She later changes her major toAnthropologyafter spending time around her family and otherTurtle Mountain Ojibwe.She becomes involved in the resistance effort against the passing ofHouse Concurrent Resolution 108 billwhen asked by Thomas Wazhashk and her father to present her research findings on theTurtle Mountain Reservation'sresources in court.[16]
Arthur V. Watkins —ARepublicansenator fromUtah.Erdrich's fictional version ofArthur V. Watkinsis heavily based on the real person; his dialogue during the characters visit to Congress is pulled from actual transcriptions.[1]
Vernon and Elnath —These twoMormonmissionaries believe theChippewaareLamanites.
Semi-fiction
editAspects of this fictional novel are inspired by historical events. The jewel-bearing plant is based on a real factory in Turtle Mountain where mostly women were employed.[17]While an attempt in 1955 to unionize failed, the workers succeeded in their demand for higher pay and better working conditions.[18]
In the chapter "Falcon Eyes", Patrice attends a meeting of theUnited States House of Representatives,where she seesa beautiful womanwhofires a gun into the air.[19][20]
The fictional dialog written in the book about Turtle Mountain's testimony to Congress closely follows the real transcripts of the testimony given there.[21]
Recurring elements
editAnimals
editAnimals and animal intelligence are a recurring subject inThe Night Watchman.One chapter is entirely from the perspective of two escaped horses.[22]At another point, Patrice perceives a dog as speaking to her, giving her information on the fate of her sister.[23]
Another animal that provides symbolism is the owl. Thomas and the owl have a connection because similar to the owl Thomas stays up guarding the factory and tries to persuade people in power to support them against termination. "The owl shares Thomas' solitude and symbolizes the mental and psychic loneliness of his battle".[24]
Ambiguous magic
editThere are several instances in the novel seemingly caused by magical or supernatural means. The partial facial paralysis of a classmate occurs after he tried to sexually assault Patrice was supposedly an instance of magic. Erdrich leaves the reality of these scenes intentionally ambiguous. When asked why this was, she stated "So many things happen to us that we immediately explain away, and so I'm just not explaining away what's happening."[25]
Reception
editCritical reception
editThe novel received mostly positive reviews from critics.[26]According toBook Marks,the book received a "rave" consensus, based on twenty-six critic reviews: eighteen "rave", seven "positive", and one "mixed".[27]InBooks in the Media,the book received 4.13 out of 5 stars, based on five critic reviews.[28]On the May/June 2020 issue ofBookmarks,the book received
(4.0 out of 5) stars, with the critical summary saying, "The Night Watchman,a magical, dramatic, and heart-wrenching story, contains all the trademarks of Erdrich's work: vibrant characters, touching family relationships, beautiful descriptions of the natural world, and a passionate indictment of the casual racism that American Indians face ".[29][30]
In a review forThe New York Times,Luis Alberto Urreapraised the novel, referring to it as "[...] a magisterial epic that brings [Erdrich's] power of witness to every page."[31]Love, rage, political resistance, and courage saturate the lives of the memorable characters inThe Night Watchman.[32]Ron CharlesofThe Washington Postsays that Erdrich "rediscovers her genius" with this novel.[33]A review forUSA Todaypraised the relatability of the novel.[34]The Boston Globerecognizes faults some may find with the novel, but ultimately views it as among "...the best of her remarkable fiction."[35]Other critics have noted the beauty of the "family feeling" of the novel, the endurance of the characters, and called Erdrich a "master storyteller."[36][37]
The gradual way that the poverty of certain characters is presented in the novel has also received praise with Erdrich remarking on the ways this mirrored real life.[38]Erdrich has also addressed in interviews the importance of Patrice's role in the novel and how she functions as a second protagonist, saying that her daughter even made a separate cover for the novel with the titlePixie.[39]While this novel is set in the past, Erdrich comments on the issues that still persist within Indigenous communities today, stating "It's true that the policies that start with dispossession do not stop there."[39]
Honors
editThe novel won the2021 Pulitzer Prize.The committee awarding the prize referred to the novel as "[...] a majestic, polyphonic novel about a community's efforts to halt the proposed displacement and elimination of several Native American tribes in the 1950s, rendered with dexterity and imagination."[40]
References
edit- ^abcdefghijErdrich, Louise (2020).The Night Watchman.New York: HarperCollins. p. 464.ISBN9780062671196.
- ^abUrrea, Luis Alberto (2020-03-03)."Fighting to Save Their Tribe From Termination".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2021-11-03.
- ^"Louise Erdrich Weighs In on the Battle Over Fiction and Identity".Time.Retrieved2021-12-02.
- ^"'The Night Watchman,' Malcolm X biography win arts Pulitzers ".ABC News.
- ^Davies, Dave (4 March 2020)."Louise Erdrich On Her Personal Connection To Native Peoples' 'Fight For Survival'".NPR.org.Retrieved2 October2021.
- ^"Louise Erdrich's Grandfather Inspired Her New 'Night Watchman'".NPR.org.Retrieved2021-12-02.
- ^"Louise Erdrich's Grandfather Inspired Her New 'Night Watchman'".NPR.org.Retrieved2021-12-07.
- ^"The Night Watchman: A Novel | Washington Independent Review of Books".washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.Retrieved2021-11-24.
- ^GradeSaver."The Night Watchman Study Guide | GradeSaver".gradesaver.Retrieved2021-12-07.
- ^Mary Catherine Harper (2012)."Figuring the Grotesque in Louise Erdrich's Novels: Of Ojibwe Play, Modernist Form, and the Romantic Sensibility".Studies in American Indian Literatures.24(2): 17.doi:10.5250/studamerindilite.24.2.0017.ISSN0730-3238.S2CID162036989.
- ^"wazhashk (na) | The Ojibwe People's Dictionary".ojibwe.lib.umn.edu.Retrieved2021-11-03.
- ^"THE NIGHT WATCHMAN".Kirkus Reviews.
- ^Charles, Ron (March 2, 2020)."With 'The Night Watchman,' Louise Erdrich Rediscovers Her Genius".The Washington Post.
- ^Erdrich, Louise (2020).The night watchman: a novel.New York.ISBN978-0-06-267118-9.OCLC1140871377.
{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^"The Night Watchman, by Louise Erdrich – Centre for Indigenous and Settler Colonial Studies – Research at Kent".Centre for Indigenous and Settler Colonial Studies.2021-02-17.Retrieved2021-12-12.
- ^Beck, David (2002)."Developing a Voice: The Evolution of Self-Determination in an Urban Indian Community".Wíčazo Ša Review.17(2):117–141.doi:10.1353/wic.2002.0014.ISSN1533-7901.S2CID143764556.
- ^"Louise Erdrich Weighs In on the Battle Over Fiction and Identity".Time.Retrieved2021-11-03.
- ^Erdrich, Louise (2020).The Night Watchmen.New York: HarperCollins. p. 444.ISBN978-0-06-267118-9.
- ^Hertzel, Laurie."In Louise Erdrich's 'Night Watchman,' tribal and personal history converge".Chicago Tribune.
- ^Erdrich, Louise (2020).The Night Watchman.Harper Perennial. pp.394–395.ISBN978-0-06-267118-9.
- ^Erdrich, Louise (2020).The Night Watchmen.New York: HarperCollins. p. 449.ISBN978-0-06-267118-9.
- ^Erdrich, Louise (2020).The Night Watchman.New York: HarperCollins. pp.240–241.ISBN9780062671196.
- ^Erdrich, Louise (2020).The Night Watchman.New York: HarperCollins. p. 147.ISBN9780062671196.
- ^GradeSaver."The Night Watchman Symbols, Allegory and Motifs | GradeSaver".gradesaver.Retrieved2021-12-08.
- ^"Louise Erdrich On Her Personal Connection To Native Peoples' 'Fight For Survival'".NPR.org.Retrieved2021-12-12.
- ^"The Night Watchman".Book Marks.Retrieved2023-01-12.
- ^"The Night Watchman".Book Marks.Retrieved16 January2024.
- ^"The Night Watchman Reviews".Books in the Media.Archived fromthe originalon 23 Sep 2020.Retrieved11 July2024.
- ^"The Night Watchman".Bookmarks.Retrieved14 January2023.
- ^"The Night Watchman".Bookmarks.Retrieved14 January2023.
- ^Urrea, Luis Alberto (3 March 2020)."Fighting to Save Their Tribe From Termination".The New York Times.Retrieved2 October2021.
- ^Literary Affairs."March 2020 Book of the Month".Retrieved2021-11-23.
- ^"Review | With 'The Night Watchman,' Louise Erdrich rediscovers her genius".Washington Post.ISSN0190-8286.Retrieved2021-12-05.
- ^Rhule, Patty."Review: Louise Erdrich's 'The Night Watchman' a rich novel of Native American family, community".USA TODAY.Retrieved2021-12-05.
- ^"Louise Erdrich's newest novel thrills with luminous empathy – The Boston Globe".BostonGlobe.Retrieved2021-12-05.
- ^ELLEN AKINS."Review: 'The Night Watchman,' by Louise Erdrich".Star Tribune.Retrieved2021-12-05.
- ^"Los Angeles Review of Books".Los Angeles Review of Books.2020-05-05.Retrieved2021-12-05.
- ^"Louise Erdrich On Her Personal Connection To Native Peoples' 'Fight For Survival'".NPR.org.Retrieved2021-12-05.
- ^abLeah Greenblatt."In her epic new novel, Louise Erdrich digs into an incredible family history".EW.Retrieved2021-12-05.
- ^"2021 Pulitzer Prize Winners & Finalists".The Pulitzer Prizes (pulitzer.org).RetrievedJune 11,2021.