Hope, Redemption, Ferrying - Interpreting "Water" Metaphor in Love Medicine

Abstract

Love Medicine is the renowned and representative work of Louise Erdrich, an American Native female writer. Erdrich delves into the emotions of individuals against the backdrop of history, narrating the stories of three generations from three families within the Chippewa tribe and vividly showcasing the resilient vitality of Native American culture. In Love Medicine, the imagery of "water" recurs throughout the narrative, with almost every character having some connection, either direct or indirect, to "water", imbuing "water" with profound symbolism. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the "water" imagery becomes essential for understanding and interpreting this novel. This paper interprets the content - related meaning of the "water" from the conceptual metaphor perspective and explores its structural role from a narrative standpoint. Through textual analysis, it becomes evident that "water" plays a crucial role in interpreting such themes as "life and death", "love and affection", "redemption", and "time and space" in Love Medicine, thereby elevating the motif of this Native American novel, which centers around the theme of "homecoming". Furthermore, "water" streams throughout the entire novel like a babbling brook, creating a seamless narrative that is cohesive and thematically-rich.