Essay on “Four Souls” by Louise Eldrich

Order Description
Each of these questions should be approached as a short answer (at least 3-4 paragraphs). A well-written answer will include specific references to the text (page numbers and quotes) and references to readings/ articles throughout the semester. Your answers should also include clear and well-reasoned arguments. Consider that these questions should be answered in many different ways and you are trying to convince me that what you think is true based on clear evidence from the book and additional sources. For answer guidelines see the following:

Central Argument: Provides a clear and well-reasoned argument to answer the question. It is clear that the answer engages the entire text.

10 points

Use of Sources: At least three references to specific moments/ page numbers/ quotes from the book are used to support arguments. Engages with specific details from throughout the text (not just at the beginning). Uses specific details from additional sources from class readings (2-3) to support the answer.

10 points

Grammar/ Sentence Structure/ Formatting: Uses MLA formatting for references. Has very few grammar or sentence structure issues.

5 points
You should answer four questions from the following list (25 points each). You should attach them on Canvas as a word document that is double-spaced, Times New Roman font. The quiz is due Sunday April 23, 2017 @ 11:59 p.m.

The title of this book is “Four Souls.” Provide a title for each chapter of the book. Explain why your titles speak to each chapter’s larger themes.
How is western medicine portrayed in comparison to Indigenous medicine/ healing throughout the text? What commentary is Erdrich trying to make about western medicine?
Why does the relationship between Polly Elizabeth and Fleur change so drastically throughout the novel? What are the key moments in their relationship that facilitate this change? Do you think they feel the same way about each other? Why or why not?
Fluer’s other name is “Four Souls.” Margaret’s other name is “Center of the Sky.” What do you think is the significance of these characters having two different names? How can you draw parallels to what we have learned about the importance of naming, boarding schools, and survivance/self-determination throughout the semester?
One thing that critics say about this novel is that it contextualizes the deep sense of loss that happens during allotment. How does allotment figure throughout the book? How do different characters illustrate why allotment is so detrimental to tribal peoples?
Discuss Fluer’s character arc and how it is a representation of survivance. How does Fluer’s story illustrate the complex nature of survivance?
Throughout the semester we talked about the difference between “rights” and “responsibilities” and the continued interrelationship with the land that Indigenous peoples are often fighting for. How does this novel demonstrate the conflict between western land use and Indigenous relationship to land? What is the relationship to land that is displayed by both Nanapush and Fleur throughout the novel?