Who Is The Narrator In Tracks By Louise Erdrich

Louise Erdrich uses dual narratives in the novel “Tracks,” which gives the reader two perspectives to the story. The author broadens the personal experiences and communal experiences and this way the reader is led to understand what happened from two points of view. However, the two narrators may make the reader question the other narrator’s reliability. Nanapush and Pauline tell their stories differently, depending on what they both see is right.

Nanapush is a relatively composed and reliable narrator, who rejects the white culture and attempts to preserve the Ojibwe culture despite the social pressures that surround him (Erdrich, 10). Nanapush is wise and knows that land is the only thing that will maintain their culture. He understands the ways of his community, and thus keeps stories, which he narrates to the younger generation. Nanapush knows that the stories of the Ojibwe tradition depend on him. Nanapush narrative flows through in a natural way, and he uses a very informal tone painted by sexual jokes and confidence. Nanapush sees himself as the savior of the community and its culture, thus showing self-confidence in his narration. Nanapush believes that the good times were in the past and showed appreciation for what his community has achieved

Pauline in her narration shows no pride in her heritage and dislikes everything, wishing she was white (Erdrich, 20). During her narration, the reader is led on to her ways of abandoning her culture and forgetting her family ties. Pauline’s narration is filled with conflict of who she is as well as who she becomes, even after she adopts the white world. She uses an arrogant tone, and at some points, she refers herself as a martyr but is not quite sure. Throughout her narration, Pauline wishes that she could forget the actions and the life she lived in the past and start a new