Genre
Coming of Age Novel
Setting and Context
The novel is written in the context of Native American History.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood are neutral
Protagonist and Antagonist
The central characters are Margie Robineau and Dale.
Major Conflict
There is a conflict between the Native Indian Americans and the Federal Government that wants to assimilate the community into mainstream American culture by force.
Climax
The climax comes when the Native Indian Americans maintain their culture despite the coercion from the government and disturbance.
Foreshadowing
The federal government's pressure foreshadows the disintegration of Native Indians into America.
Understatement
The federal government’s determination to assimilate the Native Indians into mainstream American culture is understated.
Allusions
The story alludes to the history of the Native Indians and the federal government's involvement in their affairs.
Imagery
Smell imagery is depicted when the sweet aroma of sweetgrass welcomes Margie's visitors.
Paradox
The main paradox is the federal government is determined to assimilate all the Native Indians without their consent.
Parallelism
N/A
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Sweetgrass is used as a metonymy for Native American cooking culture.
Personification
N/A
