nchisementby finding the identity of his parents and accepting his talent. It is after hediscovers this information that Lipsha crosses the river water and steps into hisnew existence.The character of Henry Junior not only illustrates the loneliness of notknowing ones father, but also of not belonging to the majority race of onescountry. Henry Junior is one of the seemingly infinite amount of sons whichresulted from Lulu Lamartines friendliness. Due to this renowned trait of Lulu,Henry Junior was never quite sure who his father was. Yet Henry felt noconnection with his fatherland either. In fact, fighting for the white mans war inVietnam was inevitably the cause for Henry Juniors death. The atrocitiescommitted during the war were never forgotten by Henry Juniors conscienceand it isnt until his suicide in the river that his guilt and alienation is lifted.The intervention of so-called western culture to the Indian population ofNorth America has created a society of indigenous people that struggle tobelong in their homeland. Louise Erdrichs Love Medicine brings these strugglesto light through the use of dramatic characters and their interactions with oneanother. Unfortunately, solace from this disenfranchisement arrives mostlythrough the death of the human body....
