Review of The Bingo Palace by Louise Erdrich, Part 4, Situation of Women in The Tribe

During the last decades, the situation of women in society has really improved in the western world.

In most countries they are allowed to vote, more respected in higher jobs and working anyway.

In “The Bingo Palace” there are some aspects of the women’s life concerned. On the one hand there is June, Lipsha’s real mother. She was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. Lipsha was the consequence of this rape.

Here you can see that young women could easily be suppressed and abused.

But women also have the same opportunity to go to school or university as man.

Albertine goes to a medical school and Shawnee also wants to study, although she has a child. But she is supported by Zelda and since she can combine both she leaves the reservation. Both want to have success like white Americans.

That is also why women are allowed to have a job.

But there is a very powerful woman portrayed in the novel, too – Fleur Pillager.

Due to her supernatural power she is one the most powerful persons inside the reservation. She can influence everybody and everything and the others are afraid of her and treat her with respect. There are not only men in religious positions as Xavier Toose. Power counts, not gender.

Lulu Lamartine is also portrayed as a woman with great influence. When she “pronounced herself awake” she “took on day’s business of running the tribe” what sounds as if she is the leader. Lulu attempts to reclaim tribal lands.

And then there is Zelda who cares for nearly everybody. She has taken Shawnee, when her parents went away and she had secured Lipsha when his mother wanted to drown him. She has a job, but most of the time she takes care of Shawnee’s child.

All these women do or try to do what they want. They want to achieve something and give the best they can and the possibility is given to them.

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Review of The Bingo Palace by Louise Erdrich, Part 1, Introduction

Review of The Bingo Palace by Louise Erdrich, Part 2, Summary

Review of The Bingo Palace by Louise Erdrich, Part 3, Job Situation

Review of The Bingo Palace by Louise Erdrich, Part 5, Marriages