An Interpretation Of The Racial Relations In Erdrich's Trilogy Of Justice

This thesis presents an ethical literary criticism of the racial relations between American Indians and Caucasians in the Trilogy of Justice written by Louise Erdrich,one of the most influential American Indian writers in contemporary America.By studying the evolution of the racial relations exhibited in the trilogy,the thesis reveals Erdrich's ever deepening understanding of the racial relations between American Indians and Caucasians and analyzes the reasons why she shifts from depicting racial conflicts to exploring racial integration.First,this thesis interprets Erdrich's description of the abnormal racial relations in the process of the U.S.internal colonialism reflected in The Plague of Doves.According to her,influenced by colonial ethics,Caucasians hold distorted ethical consciousness of racial inequality.Their sense of white superiority,arrogance,and racial prejudice against American Indians lead to the abnormal racial relations between American Indians and Caucasians.By depicting this kind of racial relations,Erdrich intends to deconstruct the “legitimacy” of colonial ethics and awaken Caucasians' ethical consciousness of racial equality.Next,this thesis analyzes Erdrich's presentation of the antagonistic racial relations in the post-colonial era reflected in The Round House.Living in the hostile ethical environment,American Indians are compelled to resort to the extremity of resisting by way of violence,which will result in more hatred and violence,leading to intensified racial conflicts.Understanding and sympathetic to American Indians though she is,Erdrich considers that violent resistance is disadvantageous to their existence.Advocating the idea of settling racial disputes through legal approach,Erdrich manifests the inclination to resolve racial conflicts through peaceful means.Finally,this thesis studies how Erdrich calls for integration in LaRose.In thefriendly ethical environment at the turn of the twenty-first century,American Indians and Caucasians tend to build up harmonious racial relations.Guided by American Indian traditional ethics of balance and harmony,American Indians and Caucasians make joint efforts to resolve the interracial ethical crisis triggered by an unintentional killing event,realizing racial reconciliation and integration.By depicting the reconciliation and integration between the two races,Erdrich appeals to the two races to put down racial hatred and realize racial integration.The racial relations evolve from abnormality,to antagonism,and to integration in Erdrich's Trilogy of Justice.While seeking survival ways for American Indians,Erdrich makes an in-depth exploration of racial relations in the three novels.As a mixed-blood writer with both American Indian and Caucasian background,she voices her longing for the equal,friendly and harmonious racial relations in the future.