Abstract

In the 1960s and 1970s, multi-racial awareness grew among the various ethnic groups of America, one of which is American Indians. Therefore, American Indian literature rises as a new force of American literature and becomes one of the most important ones which cannot be ignored.

-This thesis uses the symbolism to disclose the significance of American Indian culture from the perspective of the symbolic meaning of water. Through the analysis of water imagery, it is concluded that as the thematic imagery in the novel, the water is interrelated with the motif of the novel. The appearance of the water is always decided by the motifs, and the more motifs of the novel are reinforced, the more frequently the water shows up. In a word, the repeated appearance of water conforms to the motifs of the novel. Just as in American Indian culture which is cyclical implies, the beginning may be another end, and the end may be another new beginning. 

Key words: water; symbol; confrontation；culture

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 The Background-1

1.1.1 Louise Erdrich and Her Literary Achievements-1

1.1.2 The Introduction of Love Medicine-1

1.2 Literature review-2

1.2.1 Researches of Love Medicine abroad-2

1.2.2 Researches of Love Medicine at home-3

1.2.3 Research Questions-4

2. The Symbolic Meaning of Water-5

2.1. The Definition of Symbolism-5

2.2. The Meaning of Water in the West Culture-5

2.3 The Symbolic Meaning of Water in Love Medicine-6

2.3.1 Water as the Source of Culture-6

2.3.2 Water as the Symbol of Death-8

2.3.3 Water as the Loss of American Indian Land-9

3. The Confrontation of Culture-11

3.1 The Impact of the White Culture on American Indian Culture-11

3.1.1The Loss of American Indian Language-11

3.1.2 The Destruction of American Indian Culture-12

3.2 The Confrontation between American Indian Culture and White Culture-13

4. Conclusion-16

Reference-17