The Mauser House

The large, ornately decorated home built by John James Mauser represents his power, and what he sees as his accomplishments making use of that power. For him, both are positive experiences. However, the narrative clearly takes the position that Mauser is exploitative and selfish. The house becomes a symbol of those aspects of his life and identity. Also, because the narrative portrays the house and its furnishings as having been constructed from natural resources plundered from Fleur and other Native Americans, the house represents that plundering, and the associated physical and psycho-emotional violence done to those from whom Mauser stole.

Alcohol

For both Fleur and Nanapush, alcohol represents a damaging vulnerability and weakness. They both experience addictive behaviors in relation to the consumption of alcohol, behaviors that on a profound level corrupt their judgment and damage their capacity for appropriate relationships.

Polly Elizabeth’s Dog