The Night Watchman

The Night Watchman

by

Louise Erdrich

Summary
Analysis
Patrice walks into the gallery that overlooks the floor of the House of Representatives. She notices a striking woman in bold lipstick. Later the woman yells, “Viva Puerto Rico!” and fires shots into the air. Guards crash the gallery and seize the woman’s gun, then her. Authorities eventually question Patrice, and she explains what she saw. Although she knows it’s terrible, Patrice had been excited when the woman stood up and started to yell.
Although Patrice knows that it’s wrong, she also feels excited by the potential of revolution, of real, drastic change, of standing up for what one believes in, even if that stand is marked by violence. This passage probably refers to an actual historical event, when a militant Puerto Rican group wounded several congressmen on the House floor.
Themes
Power, Solidarity, and Community Action Theme Icon
Agency and Exploitation Theme Icon