Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
The novel is set in the early 1940s in the context of the mysticism and traditions of the Dakota women.
Narrator and Point of View
The book is written from Waterlily's point of view.
Tone and Mood
Optimistic, enduring, encouraged, triumphant
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist of the story is Waterlily.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is that Star Elk refuses to take responsibility as a father when Waterlily is born. Instead, he runs away, leaving the entire responsibility of parenting to Blue Bird.
Climax
The climax is when Waterlily meets her new grandmother called Goku, and they bond very well.
Foreshadowing
Waterlily’s encounter with the young boy in the Sun Dance foreshadowed her intimacy and love.
Understatement
Waterlily's marriage to the boys who agrees to exchange horses with her uncle is understated. Waterlily does not love the boy, but she agrees to get married because of her undying love for Goku.
Allusions
The story alludes to personal sacrifice for our loved ones. For instance, Waterlily loves her late grandmother, and she accepts to get married to the man she doesn't love just to make sure that her spirit rests in peace.
Imagery
The Sun Dance events depict both sight and hearing imagery. For instance, after the long day's events, the arbor becomes as still as death. The air became so fresh and bracing. The night died in the west, and the moon faded.
Paradox
The main paradox is that Waterlily first marries not because of love but sacrifice to enable her uncle to get horses to give as gifts in honor of Goku.
Parallelism
Waterlily’s love story parallel’s Sacred Horse’s cousin, Lowanla, who became her true love in the long run.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Smallpox is personified as a human monster who claims the life of Waterlily's late husband.
