At the onset of the sixth day of the storm, Nanapush's house is immersed in emptiness. Physically, the pantry, floursack and snares are empty. The scene is also devoid of any speaking. Indeed, Nanapush opens the scene explaining that "after six days I could not bear to hear any more from Eli" (p.100). The fact that Nanapush does not talk and is unwilling to hear any more from Eli is particularly distressing considering

A much more subtle yet important symbol of Eli's acceptance of the Chippewa is his jacket. It is double sided. One side is an army jacket; the other is coated with rabbit furs. The jacket's army association is reminiscent of the story of Pukwan going off to war. In that case, war represented a final decision to accept, and even fight for, white ways. Here, too, the army side of Eli's jacket retains the metaphor for white ways, an indication of Eli's ambivalence toward Indian affairs. The jacket's other side, with a connection to nature and hunting, is an expression of traditional Indian ways. Eli's decision to turn his jacket outward to show the rabbit pelt side is a not only a reflection of his awareness as a hunter but also a symbol of his transformation into an Indian. The fact that it was Eli's mother, Margaret, who sewed on the rabbit pelts is also very important. She is attempting to prevent the assimilation process by attaching Indian trinkets to a jacket otherwise indicative of white society. Her power to reverse assimilation emphasizes the dominance of the matriarchy in Chippewa society.

Nanapush's song has an instant effect on Eli. At first Eli is "wandering... not thinking how the wind blew" (p.101). However upon hearing the song "he was thinking... his vision had cleared" (p.101). Eli is rejuvenated by the song. The song's empowering quality reveals the effectiveness of communication as a life force. The song is more than just a life force, however. The song seems to be a method of pumping Eli full of Indianess for the song at once makes him see the world around him in a new way. He is now seeing it through the eyes of a true Indian. He can read the terrain noticing the direction of the wind, the thickness of ice and the presence of moose. Tracks are obviously critical symbols in the novel and in the hunting scene it is just as important. Eli's ability to follow the moose's tracks reinforces the idea that he is reading the ground, his land and his tradition. The items which Nanapush utilizes in his song are representative of Chippewa as well. On his chest sits an otter bag. The otter's association with water connects it to Fleur and the lake monster who very much symbolize Chippewa culture.

Nanapush's emptiness stems, then, not only from his hunger but symbolically, from his concern over the future of the tribe. Eli poses a threat to the tribe because, although he does not necessarily care for white ways, he isn't concerned about the tribe's future either. When asked about what he would do with land

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1724
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)