Ghosts (Motif)
Throughout the novel, Erdrich uses the motif of ghosts to demonstrate the lingering nature of trauma. Trauma, even when one works through the process of healing or resolution, can recur at any given moment. In The Round House, Joe sees ghosts when he is in a vulnerable state and he is unable to make sense of the events that transpire. Joe's visions of apparitions are thus a manifestation of his feeling that he has lost a grip on his reality.
The Round House (Symbol)
The novel's title references a physical space that holds deep symbolism for the Chippewa community. The round house is a meeting place where the tribe convenes for religious ceremonies and celebrations. The reader learns from Mooshum that the round house was built by Nanapush, a mythological figure who remained loyal to his mother after she was attacked by her own husband. The origin story of the round house is a direct parallel to the recent events that Joe has experienced. As the plot proceeds, Joe's sleuthing leads him to discover that Geraldine was attacked by Linden Lark at the round house. The similarities between Nanapush and Joe reflect the long and continued history of violence against indigenous women.
The Past (Motif)
Erdrich explores the concept of time, particularly through the lens of Native American communities. Throughout the novel, there is a clear rejection of a perpetual, linear structure of time. Instead, Erdrich demonstrates that indigenous communities view time cyclically and see the "past" as an active factor in the "present."
It is important to note that the entire novel is narrated in flashback. Through this narrative structure, Joe hopes to retrace his own past while simultaneously making connections to the ancestors and lineages that preceded him. Although Joe cannot go back in time and reverse what has happened to Geraldine, he can take ownership over his narrative and articulate a situation that at once left him silenced and powerless.
Small Trees (Symbol)
In the opening scene of the story, Joe is tending to the house with his father, Bazil. Joe remarks on his youth and general sense of naivety at this moment: he lives a stable and tranquil life with his two parents. However, while doing housework, he notices that "small trees began to invade" the foundation of his house. Joe is determined to rid his home of these pests, and he passes his entire afternoon striking at the tree's roots. The small trees symbolize the trauma that will soon enter Joe's life, rattling the foundations of his home and changing the course of his life forever. Although Joe tries to ward off these irritants, the situation is ultimately beyond Joe's control. While he cannot prevent the unimaginable from happening, Joe must learn to deal with life's punches and persist in the face of adversity.
Nanapush's Story (Allegory)
Mooshum tells Joe the story of Nanapush, a figure in Chippewa history who built the round house. Nanapush was the son of Akii and Mirage. He is particularly known for remaining loyal to his mother after Mirage tried to kill her for incorrectly thinking she was a wiindigoo. Nanapush's story demonstrates the historical violence against women, and the need for men to create a more just world in which women feel safe and unthreatened.
