Identity Construction of Native American Female Characters in Louise Erdrich’s The Beet Queen

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.502

Abstract

Abstract:

The question of identity is important in the study of ethnic literature. Characters’ roles in the matriarchal family system rather than their lineage have become significant markers of identity construction for Native Americans. Taking Louise Erdrich’s novel The Beet Queen as an example, this paper provides an in-depth textual analysis and interpretation of Native Americans’ view of family in the dual contexts of indigenous history and culture while exploring Native American women’s survival strategies in response to the changing times. The novel describes how three generations of Native American women contribute to the process of developing the open family structure, the matrilocal family structure, and the reticular family structure, highlighting the dynamic feature of Native American women’s identity. These indigenous elements are passed down from generation to generation in the process of identity construction, exerting a positive influence on White culture. Within the context of multi-culturalism, Erdrich outlines the possibilities and hopes for both Native American and White individuals to build an ideal homeland through the medium of family.

Keywords: Louise Erdrich; The Beet Queen; family; femle characters; identity; ethnic literature

摘要：

身份问题是族裔文学研究的重要方向。人物在母系家庭中的角色（而非血统）是印第安族群身份建构的重要标识。本文以路易斯·厄德里克的小说《甜菜女王》为例，通过对文本内容的深入研究，将印第安族群的家庭观置于历史和文化的双重语境下进行解读，探讨了美国印第安女性为应对时代变迁而采取的生存策略：三代印第安女性在其建构的开放式、入赘式和网状家庭结构中发挥了凝聚作用，彰显了印第安女性身份的动态特征。身份建构中的印第安元素代代相传，对白人文化产生了积极影响。厄德里克以家庭为媒介为印第安人和白人在多元文化背景下构建理想家园提供了一种可能和希望。

关键词: 路易斯·厄德里克, 甜菜女王, 家庭, 女性人物, 身份, 族裔文学

CLC Number:

I3/7

Li Shuangshuang, Liu Kedong. Identity Construction of Native American Female Characters in Louise Erdrich’s The Beet Queen[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2024, 46(1): 119-129.

李双双, 刘克东. 论厄德里克《甜菜女王》中印第安女性人物的身份建构[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2024, 46(1): 119-129.

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