The Night Watchman

The Night Watchman

by

Louise Erdrich

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The Night Watchman: Pukkons Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Thomas carries his rifle on the trail to his father’s house, hoping to scare out a partridge or deer. When he reaches his father’s house, he tells his father about the bill coming from the government and says that the government aims to take away the treaties. His father, Biboon, says that because they’re targeting other tribes as well, it might be possible to fight it as a larger group.
Biboon expresses the strategy that will become the key to defeating the Termination Bill: they must fight it as a group, and as large of a group as possible. Solidarity, then, extends beyond individual communities and tribes to include diverse groups with common interests.
Themes
Power, Solidarity, and Community Action Theme Icon
Oppression and Supposed Good Intentions Theme Icon
Agency and Exploitation Theme Icon
Quotes