The Woman Warrior :: essays research papers

Love MedicineLipsha Morriseys confusion active his amaze in society results in his combining both over-the-hill Indian traditions with new American ideas in an attempt to discover himself and his place in society. Although this combination ultimately ends with disaster, Lipsha uncovers a fountainful lesson about warmth.Lipshas rootage mistake begins when he decides to concoct a "love medicine". Fearing for Nector and Maries relationship, he draws from old Indian superstitions since "these love medicines is something of an old Chippewa specialty" (241). But in reality, piece the idea of the love charm was born in Indian tradition, Lipsha strays into the American earth when creating the charm. Instead of the marrows of wild geese that the spell requires, Lipsha buys joker hearts from the grocery story, a completely American creation. Shunning the Chippewa gods, Lipsha or else attempts to have the hearts blessed by a catholic priest. His attempts at playing lo ve doctor backfire when Nector chokes on the turkey heart and dies. Yet even though Lipsha repents and realizes "it was all in all my fault for playing with power I did not understand", Nectors true love for Marie is allowed the chance to be revealed when his spirit returns for a final fairwell (255). Lipsha knows that since the love medicine was a fraud, Nectors love was real. "He loved you over time and distanceIts true feeling, not no magic. No supermarket heart could have brung him back" (257).Much give care his decision to "Americanize" ancient Indian love spells, Lipsha mentally "Americanizes" any(prenominal) seems to reflect the old culture. His observations of people and life reflect his susceptibility to American influences. Throughout the chapter, he makes references to video games and pinball machines when describing something. Death has always been an master(prenominal) part of Indian culture, as evidenced in numerous myths and legends. American Indians believe the soul is a tangible object, existing in all living objects. As a person dies, the soul departs, and travels to a realm of spirits. When Nector lays dying on the floor, Lipsha draws from his Indian heritage, the respect and awe of the soul while describing it with an American twist. "Time was flashing back and forth like a pinball machine.