Significance of Truthful Change
Anthony Tumasone
Dr. Cheng-Levine
English 102
18 April 2007
The Significance of Truthful Change “The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse” by Louise Erdrich, depicts an ambiguous and rebelling nun, Agnes DeWitt, who although a sister of the Catholic Church, separated herself from God. After tragedy strikes and her impious lover has perished, Agnes DeWitt is faced with confusion and seeks individuality. Perilous change is soon made: Agnes begins a transition from female to male. However, this early event appears to be a minor reason for change in comparison to conditions Agnes later faces. Agnes must assume authority to become a practicing leader of the Roman Catholic Church; hence an extensive transition toward masculinity is crucial. The identity change Agnes undergoes is influenced by future conditions, her necessity for supremacy, to appraise changes of the Ojibwe tribe due to political and chronological effects and most importantly, to express the themes presented throughout the novel. The first emotional transformation was compelled by the convent’s disapproval of who Sister Cecilia truly was. Mother Superior condemned the passion Cecilia felt for Chopin and his music, forcing Cecilia to flea the convent in order to protect the notes that possessed her. She found it necessary to return to the outside world and again become Miss Agnes DeWitt. She arrived at the property of Berndt Vogel, who began to love Agnes. However, Agnes does not immediately fall victim to Berndt’s marriage offers. Agnes is still focused on dedicating herself to the man that identifies her: Chopin. After
Tumasone 2 many requests, Berndt finally allows Agnes to purchase a piano that she can play at his farm. Agnes dedicated every second of the day making love to this spiritual man; yet she is able to reach her sexual peak. She was expressing herself in the exact way her soul was commanding her to. Although Berndt took great pleasure in listening to the sounds Agnes
Dr. Cheng-Levine
English 102
18 April 2007
The Significance of Truthful Change “The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse” by Louise Erdrich, depicts an ambiguous and rebelling nun, Agnes DeWitt, who although a sister of the Catholic Church, separated herself from God. After tragedy strikes and her impious lover has perished, Agnes DeWitt is faced with confusion and seeks individuality. Perilous change is soon made: Agnes begins a transition from female to male. However, this early event appears to be a minor reason for change in comparison to conditions Agnes later faces. Agnes must assume authority to become a practicing leader of the Roman Catholic Church; hence an extensive transition toward masculinity is crucial. The identity change Agnes undergoes is influenced by future conditions, her necessity for supremacy, to appraise changes of the Ojibwe tribe due to political and chronological effects and most importantly, to express the themes presented throughout the novel. The first emotional transformation was compelled by the convent’s disapproval of who Sister Cecilia truly was. Mother Superior condemned the passion Cecilia felt for Chopin and his music, forcing Cecilia to flea the convent in order to protect the notes that possessed her. She found it necessary to return to the outside world and again become Miss Agnes DeWitt. She arrived at the property of Berndt Vogel, who began to love Agnes. However, Agnes does not immediately fall victim to Berndt’s marriage offers. Agnes is still focused on dedicating herself to the man that identifies her: Chopin. After
Tumasone 2 many requests, Berndt finally allows Agnes to purchase a piano that she can play at his farm. Agnes dedicated every second of the day making love to this spiritual man; yet she is able to reach her sexual peak. She was expressing herself in the exact way her soul was commanding her to. Although Berndt took great pleasure in listening to the sounds Agnes
Cited: Erdrich, Louise. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc., 2002 Gross, Lawrence. "The Trickster and World Maintenance: An Anishinaabe Reading of Louise Erdrich 's Tracks. " Studies in American Indian Literatures 17.3 (2005): 48-66,133. Humanities Module. ProQuest. College of the Canyons Library, Santa Clarita, CA.16 Apr. 2007 Rosenburg, Roberta. "Cermonial Healing and the Multiple Narrative Tradition in Louise Erdrich 's Tales of Burning Love. " MELUS 27.3 (2002): 113-132. Research Library Core. ProQuest. College of the Canyons Lib., Santa Clarita, CA.16 Apr. 2007