Foil

Character Role Analysis

Lulu, Marie

Lulu Lamartine and Marie are each matriarchs in their own right—and they both had a lot of kids under their care—but boy, are they different. Marie is kind of gritty, mouthy, and tough, and while people respect her, she doesn't give off a real sexpot vibe.

Lulu, on the other hand, is described as still being very alluring and youthful even later in life, and she definitely gets a lot of male attention—from Marie's husband especially. Marie stays steady and takes care of everyone despite suffering a lot along the way, while Lulu has a "no regrets" attitude to living her life that seems designed to eke as much happiness as possible out of it.

In connecting these women through Nector, Erdrich definitely draws attention to similarities and differences in the ways the women cope with their respective lots.