English Thesis: Saint Marie & The Red Convertible - Essay Example

This essay considers the various ways that these narrative constructions differ. Erdrich’s ‘Saint Marie’ presents a complex account of an individual facing challenges of spirituality. As the thematic concern of this story is somewhat nebulous and difficult to articulate, it is no great surprise that the general narrative of the story is similarly nebulous. In ‘Saint Marie’ the narrative is revealed only slowly. The story begins with almost abstract glimpses into the overall structure and theme.

Erdrich writes, “So when I went there, I knew the dark fish must rise. Plumes of radiance had been soldered on me. No reservation girl had ever prayed so hard” (Erdrich). In these regards, the narrative construction of this story purposely challenges the reader. It’s not until nearly half way through the story that one finally gains a sense of the narrative elements. If there is a specific narrative structure in these regards, one can argue that it is somewhat experimental. In these regards, one can consider the film Memento wherein narrative elements are revealed in reverse.

While ‘Saint Marie’ is not as experimental as that film, it does assume the reader has knowledge of the narrative that is only revealed later in the story. After largely structuring the story around an outside woman or protagonist, it is only after the story has been in large part developed that Erdrich reveals, “I heard later that the Sacred Heart Convent was a place for nuns that don't get along elsewhere. Nuns that complain too much or lose their mind. I'll always wonder now, after hearing that, where they picked up Sister Leopolda” (Erdrich).

This is the first instance where the reader becomes aware that Sister Leopolda is the main protagonist. Structuring the narrative this way gives the story a completely different feel than stories with a straight-forward narrative structure, as it has the effect of challenging the reader to unravel the narrative through further investigation. When considering the narrative structure of ‘The Red Convertible’ it’s clear that it is constructed in ways that are greatly different from ‘Saint Marie’.

The most predominant difference between the narrative of the two stories is that the narrative in ‘the Red Convertible’ is more structured for readability. In these regards, ‘Saint Marie’ has a nebulous theme that is reflected in an experimental and nebulous narrative structure; it actively resists readability at certain instances. In ‘the Red Convertible’ the narrative is structured in a traditional way so that the reader is able to easily follow. For instance, while information is withheld from the reader at the beginning of the story in ‘Saint Marie,’ ‘the Red Convertible’ relays all narrative information in a traditional and easily digestible way.

Consider Erdrich when she writes, “How did I earn enough money to buy my share in the first place? My one talent was I could always make money. I had a touch for it, unusual in a Chippewa” (Erdrich). The narrative construction here is done in such a way that no information is left out and, indeed, where it is believed to be confusing the information is supplied. In these regards, ‘the Red Convertible’ is a much more engaging story to read. When considering