"The Round House" by Louise Erdrich

          This amazing story covers many themes that are considered difficult to discuss in a classroom. It discusses sex, race, and religion extensively all of which are "taboo" subjects to bring up in a secondary level classroom. However, if you feel you can mediate the conversation well enough, these are vital subjects that students need to learn to confront, decide their stance, and actively listen to opposing views because these themes are ongoing throughout life. Knowing how to confront difficult situations like those that occur in the story and approach difficult conversations is how we prepare our students for the outside world. 

          The first theme that occurred to me while reading this story was the injustice to not only the Native Americans people, but specifically the Native American women. This is a subject that does not gain enough coverage and often overlooked even in today's culture. In the book, many men both white and Native, abused the Native women both mentally and physically. This repeating message to the reader makes us take notice to the injustice being done to those oppressed by their male counterparts.

          Another theme I had seen begin to take place in "The Round House" was that of religion. It is no secret that the Catholicism and different Native American tribe's religions have clashed since Americans had forced cultural assimilation on the latter. More often than not, Catholicism had forbidden usage of the Native's first language and practice of their religion. Although there are some references to this clash in cultures, there was nothing outright stating the wrongdoings of the Christian church. In fact, Erdrich had presented both religions as beneficial to the well being of the people. I am unsure if she had wrote the novel on purpose with this intent or if she chose to not embellish one religion over the other but this would be a good discussion point with a classroom and possibly her reasoning behind it.