Analysis of Nector’s Relational Issues in Love Medicine
This analysis discusses the relational issues that Nector Kashpaw from Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich encounters from his childhood until his later adulthood.
Nector’s extent in the relationship triangle between himself, Lulu Nanapush, and Marie Lazzarre consists of two main relational points in his childhood and later in life. Nector’s status in these relationships alter drastically as his life goes on and does not remain constant for long. He begins as a vulnerable boy who gets tempted in an awkward situation into raping a girl that he thought was a thief, and ultimately ends up engaged with the same woman. This marriage goes particularly well until Nector realizes he loves a woman other than his wife Marie Lazare, being Lulu Nanapush. He proceeds to have a five year affair with Lulu where he sees her once a week until he finally decides to leave Marie for good. This action ends up with little happiness as Lulu does not truly love him enough to marry him, as well as the fact that he accidentally burned down her house. The attitude Nector exerts towards his family is also not very consistent. He doesn’t form many bonds with Marie that the reader is informed of, and rarely even acknowledges the existence of his many children. He doesn’t even talk to any people in relation to Lulu other than Lulu herself. Nector seems intent only on what he truly desires. The attitude he takes towards the opposite gender is to go after what he really wants, without any serious consideration of the consequences. His attempts at prospering in life involve leaving prior commitments despite their importance such as his wife, and going after the one thing he truly loves, Lulu Nanapush. Ultimately, Nector’s efforts proved unsuccessful as Lulu
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