Louise Erdrich's novel Love Medicine conveys the state of life of Native Americans in today's society. Its symbolism strikes me more than anything else in the book. Although Erdrich uses many symbols and motifs, the most touching is his water and river imagery and the symbolism behind it. He uses water to symbolize many concepts in the novel, especially time and religion. The passage of time compared to the movement of a river is not an unprecedented idea as the endless flow of a river is easily equated with time. However, Erdrich emphasizes the destructive force that such power of nature possesses and compares the people in his story to stones on a riverbed. Through symbolism, he illustrates the effect that time and religion have had on Native American society and how these two concepts, as erosive forces, are simply consequences of modern American society's effect on Native American culture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The most prominent example of Erdrich's symbolism can be found in Nector Kashpaw's realization and recognition of the passage of time as he illustrates time and its effect on the characters in the novel. In a moment of peace, Nector has a life-changing revelation. As the world around him stops, Nector sees time pass before him as he observes, “Time flowed around me like water… I was not as resistant as stones. Very soon I would be flattened” (Erdrich 123). He notes that time passes quickly and that he hasn't lived this life to the fullest. He also knows that time will eventually get the better of him because he is not a sturdy stone capable of withstanding the passage of time. In an attempt to recapture the time spent, he rekindles his relationship with Lulu, his childhood sweetheart. He eventually dies due to suffocation, the same way a drowning person would die. As he predicted, time eventually consumes him until he welcomes death, as shown in Lipsha's observation: “Other things also suffocated him. He didn't look like he wanted to struggle or fight” (Erdrich 246). Erdrich uses this same symbolism in the character of Marie and her attachment to June's pearls. The pearls were left behind by June when she left to live with Eli. She holds them back to hold onto a piece of June, who over time has left her. However, when he holds the pearls in his hand, he observes: “I touch them and every time I do it I think of little stones. At the bottom of the lake, rolled aimlessly by the waves, I think of them as smooth. For many people it would be kindness. But I see no kindness in the way the waves make them smaller and smaller until they finally disappear” (Erdrich 93). The beads are rosary beads that people hold in their hands. Note that, like stones, pearls wear down due to constant contact. Since rosary beads are a symbol of religion and religious faith is symbolized by people's use of them, Marie is conveying her idea that religion in her society simply wears people down, just as it did to her at an early age. age and continues to do so throughout his life. reflections on Leopolda. In addition to Nector's observation that time wears away people as water wears down stones, Marie notes that modern religious practices do the same in their society. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Lipsha ties together the symbolism of water in the last paragraph of the novel. While crossing the bridge, Lipsha stops the car and watches.