Cultural Motifs in the Narratives of Louise Erdrich

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is to analyse Native American cultural motifs used in the novels by Louise Erdrich. At the beginning of the paper, there is an explanation of the narrative style of the books. In the following chapters there are various aspects of the Native American culture described and then individually characterised and analysed. The thesis focuses mainly on the conflict of religious tradition, magic and rituals, family issues, matriarchy and interpretation of nature and death through the eyes of Erdrich's characters.