The Round House Essay Questions

What historical court cases appear in the novel, and what purpose do they serve?

Some of the cases mentioned in the novel include The United States v. 43 Gallons of Whisky, Johnson v. M'Intosh, and Oliphant v. Suquamish. In The United States v. 43 Gallons of Whisky, the court decided that Congress has the power to regulate alcohol sales on and/or near tribal land. In Johnson v. M'Intosh, the court decided that private citizens could not purchase land from Native Americans. Finally, Oliphant v. Suquamish declared that Indian tribal courts have no criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians.

Each of the three cases is interpreted by Erdrich and is reflected in the novel's plot. The United States v. 43 Gallons of Whisky provides historical context to Whitey's gas station and the genesis of his rivalry with the Lark family. With Johnson v. M'Intosh, the reader is reminded of Linda Lark and the difficult relationship she has with her biological family. In the case of Oliphant v. Suquamish, the reader understands the various difficulties that Bazil and Joe encounter as they pursue Geraldine's case.

How do racial dynamics affect Geraldine's case?

Bazil Coutts, Joe's father, is a prominent judge on the reservation. As an expert in Indian Law, Bazil knows that Native Americans are only able to prosecute their own people: they are not able to extend their legal processes to non-tribal members. A crime carried out by a white person, even if the victim is Native American, is handled by the federal (non-tribal) judicial system. For this reason, Joe is interested in discovering who attacked his mother in order to expedite the legal process (whether it be tribal or federal).

What is the round house and why is it important in the novel?

As the title of the novel would suggest, the round house is deeply important to the plot and to the characters. Historically, the round house is an important meeting-place for the Chippewa community. It has existed for many generations, and it has long been the central place where the tribe convenes for religious ceremonies and celebrations. Although years have passed since the round house was established, annual rituals such as the sweat lodge engage and unite the community.

Later in the story, Joe discovers that Geraldine was attacked by Linden Lark at the round house. In this way, the round house takes on another significance. The space can be seen as a metonymy for the Native American woman's body, and it has been violated by a white man seeking power and control.

How does storytelling and parallelism function in The Round House?

Mooshum can be viewed as the quintessential storyteller in the novel. Mooshum's storytelling connects him to the greater importance of oral tradition in indigenous communities. It is Mooshum who first tells Joe about Nanapush, an important figure in Chippewa forklore. Nanapush originally built the round house, and he is known for remaining loyal to his mother after she was attacked by her own husband.

Nanapush's story parallels the events that Joe experienced in the summer of 1988. The similarities between Nanapush and Joe reflect the long and continued history of violence against indigenous women.

How is family portrayed in the novel?

Through her investigation and characterization of the Coutts family, author Louise Erdrich sheds light on family dynamics in Native American culture. This is juxtaposed with the more Westernized concept of the nuclear family.

Many characters throughout the novel are members of "unconventional" households. For example, Mooshum lives with Clemence and Edward, and both Zack and Angus grow up without two parents. In comparison to these characters and their household dynamics, Joe's family is much more "traditional," in the Western sense. For this reason, the crime against Geraldine is especially violent. In the days following Geraldine's attack, the reader observes how much Bazil and Joe depended on their matriarch.

As both Joe and Bazil fall apart, we see how the reservation steps in to care for them. Sonja becomes a mother figure for Joe, and many friends check in on Bazil to ensure his wellbeing. In this way, the reservation is like a family unit that looks after members of their community and shares responsibilities. In this portrayal, Erdrich demonstrates how Native American families adopt a more fluid, community-based system of care.