This Tender Land

Consider Lincoln Indian Training School as a microcosm of broader efforts at American imperialism and cultural hegemony. What does Krueger’s portrayal of the school suggest about such efforts, as well as resistance to them?

The novel’s title appears to come from a comment Jack makes referring to “this beautiful, tender land” as a manifestation of divinity (151). Consider the function of land in the novel. How do Odie and other characters relate to the land? What significance does it hold for them?

Sister Eve stresses that healing is conditional upon belief. How do Odie’s beliefs change throughout the novel? Do they bring him any type or degree or healing?

Mose learns that the name given to him at birth was Amdacha, which means “Broken to Pieces.” In what ways was Mose’s identity fractured? Is it restored by the end of the novel? If so, how?

Throughout the novel, Odie witnesses various injustices and inequalities, particularly during his time in St. Paul. What tone does Krueger develop in his treatment of social justice themes?

Consider Sister Eve and Emmy, who share tragic backstories and supernatural gifts, as foil characters. How do their similarities and differences highlight the novel’s themes?

Odie feels that his search for home comes to an end when he embraces Julia as his mother. Trace the development of Odie’s understanding of home and family throughout the text, showing how it evolves through his experiences.

The narrator references the power of storytelling on multiple occasions. What value does the narrator assign to storytelling, and how does This Tender Land exemplify such value?