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Genre

Novel of social critique; escape narrative, journey or quest narrative

Narrator

Omniscient

Climax

The major climax of the novel occurs at the tribal council meeting, when Turtle's custody is decided.

Protagonist

Turtle, Taylor, Annawake

Antagonist

Injustices surrounding Native American experience (white America), separation of mother and child (Annawake Fourkiller)

Setting (Time)

Mid 1980's

Setting (Place)

The novel opens in rural Kentucky, and weaves through Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming and Oklahoma.

Point Of View

Omniscient

Falling Action

After Turtle's custody is decided, the Cherokee community follows Cash to his home where he destroys his television, so that Alice will marry him.

Tense

Present

Foreshadowing

Alice's yearning for community foreshadows the way she finds a life in the Cherokee Nation. Alice's comfort in the Nation foreshadows the way that it becomes a welcoming community for her granddaughter.

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