Introduction: Lulu’s Indianness
Despite facing various criticisms from society, including being labeled “a flirt” with “tongues less kind” (105), Lulu Lamartine engages with males through various indigenous Indian practices, highlighting Lulu’s Indianness. She articulates her connection by stating, “I was in love with the whole world,” (272), revealing the underlying passion behind her perceived or actual promiscuity. While her actions invite gossip and commentary, Lulu’s feminine power does not reside solely in her supposed promiscuity or affectionate nature. Instead, it lies in her ability to remain unapologetic, never shedding a tear or feeling remorse for her choices (273). This resilience not only reassures herself but also those around her, including her various lovers and her eight sons who are described as “of one soul” (114) with her.
Lulu Lamartine also demonstrates wisdom in choosing between Bev and Henry when they first meet. Her central role in the lives of different characters highlights her multidimensional Indianness. Lulu not only provides essential love medicine to various Indians, showcasing her traditional Indian femininity and empowerment, but she also endeavors to mend connections, especially in her relationships with Bev and Lipsha Morrissey.
Embodiment of Love: Lulu’s Indianness
In matters of love, Lulu Lamartine appears as an embodiment of affection, seeking not only love for herself but also generously showering it on others. She boldly states in her narrative, “I was in love with the whole world” (272), expressing her love for nature and men alike. Lulu’s hunger for love traces back to her childhood when she couldn’t win Nector. This love manifests in ways that attract men, provide them comfort, foster reconnections, and offer healing.
Facing heartbreak with Nector Kashpaw, her “first love” (273), Lulu redirects her affection toward Moses Pillager. She again demonstrates her love by marrying Henry, a strategic move evident in her card game interactions with both brothers (112). Lulu’s subtle gestures, described as “subtle magnets” (113), draw Bev towards her, causing him to forget his mission and enter her bedroom—the “sacred domain of her femininity” (116). Bev remains unaware that he has deviated from his diplomatic mission, showcasing Lulu’s ability to redirect love in a uniquely Indian way, pursuing it through alternative paths.
Lulu’s pursuit of love, despite becoming the talk of the town, reflects her pragmatic approach. In choosing her husbands, she pragmatically seeks love for her survival, marrying one after the other. This decision highlights her courage in dealing with the complexities of love and relationships, showcasing a specific Indian trait of adapting and pursuing love through various avenues.
Courage of Lulu’s Indianness
In matters of courage, Lulu Lamartine exhibits an Indian courage of femininity, evident in her approach to love and her healing touch extended to others. This courage becomes apparent in her interaction with Bev, where she provides a healing touch that almost causes him to forget his mission. Bev, visiting to bring his son, is drawn into her love, automatically entering her bedroom and momentarily setting aside his initial purpose (113). This showcases Lulu’s unique Indian courage in matters of love.
The boldness of Lulu’s femininity is further emphasized when discussing her decisions about marrying the brothers. Bev is taken aback to learn that it was Lulu who decided which brother to marry, a choice considered “bold even for Lulu” (111). This boldness is observed again in her interactions with the boys, where her love is mixed with respect and obedience, as Bev notices that “the younger boys obey her perfectly” (114).
Lulu’s femininity also serves as a healing touch for Lipsha Morrissey, who is unaware of his real mother. When Lulu reveals this truth to him, Lipsha expresses newfound respect and understanding, stating, “I’ll respect her from now on” (299). Lulu’s courageous act not only brings clarity to Lipsha but also provides him with a healing touch, addressing his long-standing ignorance about his true parentage. This bold move reflects Lulu’s courage and unique Indian femininity, leading Lipsha to believe in her “near-divine healing touch” (299), emphasizing the transformative impact of her actions on those she encounters.
Relationships of Lulu’s Indianness
In her relationships with both Bev and Lipsha, Lulu Lamartine serves as a crucial link, facilitating their reconnection with their families and Indian roots. These connections act as healing touches, rekindling family bonds and providing a sense of belonging.
With Bev, Lulu’s presence becomes a source of reconnection, evident when Ben senses a “sweet apprehension of their kinship” upon entering her embrace (114). Despite Bev initially having plans to take his son elsewhere, Lulu’s influence shifts his priorities, leading to a reconnection with his family and nephews. The unity among Lulu and her sons becomes apparent as Bev observes them working together, bound in total loyalty, resembling their youthful period (114). This tradition of reconnection, deeply embedded in Indian femininity, resonates with Bev, who appreciates the strength that binds them together.
Lipsha Morrissey, upon learning about his true parents from Lulu, begins to believe in her near-divine healing touch. He expresses admiration for her perceived power, akin to another lady, Germain, stating, “If she had some kind of power, I wasn’t one to doubt” (299). Lulu’s revelation becomes a powerful force in Lipsha’s life, fostering a reconnection with his family and heritage.
Bev recognizes the strong familial bonds formed by Lulu, acknowledging the interconnectedness of siblings in the same way. Though he doesn’t explicitly mention the femininity that holds them together, it’s implied and appreciated. Both Bev and Lipsha, in their own ways, come to appreciate and understand the deep sense of reconnection that Lulu’s Indian femininity brings to their lives and families.
Conclusion: Lulu’s Indianness
In short, Lulu Nanapush embodies pure Indian character, showcasing her Indianness through expressions of love, attraction, assertion of femininity, and the profound act of reconnecting Indians to their roots. Her love extends to both men and women, evident in her devotion to Nector and later Moses when Nector departs. Despite facing societal criticism, she provides loving comfort to each of her husbands, fostering a sense of unity and familial love among her siblings.
Lulu’s feminine power, often misconstrued as flirtation, serves as a magnetic force, attracting men and patriarchal figures toward her. This power unites Indian males, offering a deeper understanding of family and roots. Lulu’s actions, particularly in dealing with Bev and Lipsha, demonstrate her ability to reconnect individuals with their families, a profound act of restoring lost connections and Indianness. This act proves to be a healing touch for those she reconnects, as seen in Bev’s nostalgic feelings and Lipsha’s gratitude. Lulu Nanapush emerges as a central figure around whom the entire Indian culture revolves, providing it with the necessary subtlety, resilience, and survival power to navigate the challenges posed by the deracination of modern US culture. In her love, strength, and ability to reconnect, Lulu becomes a powerful force in preserving and revitalizing the essence of Indian heritage.
Works Cited: Lulu’s Indianness
Erdrich, Louise. “Love Medicine. 1984.” New and Expanded Version. New York: Holt, 1993.
Relevant Questions about Lulu’s Indianness
- How does Lulu Nanapush’s expression of love and her relationships with various men in “Love Medicine” reflect and contribute to her distinct Indianness?
- In what ways does Lulu Nanapush’s assertion of femininity, often misunderstood as flirtation, play a crucial role in shaping her relationships and connecting her with other characters in the novel?
- How does Lulu Nanapush serve as a symbolic figure in “Love Medicine,” playing a central role in reconnecting characters like Bev and Lipsha to their families and cultural roots, and what does this reveal about her embodiment of Indianness?
