Abstract: Louise Erdrich is one of the most significant Native American writers. Up till now, she is the author of 15 novels as well as volumes of poetry, short stories, children’s books, all of which, especially novels, have received popular acclaim. Her first novel Love Medicine, also her representative work, won the National Book Critics Circle Award. The book has won her respectable reputation and it is also the first native American novel having been translated into Chinese. This paper is to interpret it from the perspective of magic realism, pointing out that for Louise Erdrich, magic realism is not only a device, but the ideology and cultural symbol of Indians, as a part of their lives, which exposes the life dilemma of Native Americans and exhibit their cultural particularity.

Key words: Louise Erdrich; Love Medicine; magic realism

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.-Introduction-1

1.1 An Introduction to Native American Literature-1

1.2 An Introduction to Louise Erdrich and Love Medicine-2

2. Literature Review and Magic Realism-3

2.1 Research Status at Home and Abroad-3

2.2 An Overview of Magic Realism-5

3. An Interpretation of Magic Realism Elements in Love Medicine-6

3.1 Magic in Structure-6

3.1.1 Non-chronological Order-7

3.1.2 Non-sequential Action-8

3.1.2 Multiple Narratives-9

3.2-Magic in Characterization-10

3.2.1 Lulu’s Telepathy Strength-10

3.2.2 Lipsha’s Healing Touch-12

3.3-Magic in Plot Design-12

3.3.1 Emergence of June’s Ghost-13

3.3.2 Nector’s Death by Love Medicine-14

3.4 Magic Features of the Symbolic Writing Technique-15

3.4.1 The Symbolic Meaning of Water Imagery-15

3.4.2 The Symbolic Meaning of Sugar and Salt-16

4. Conclusion-18

References-20