The Night Watchman

The Night Watchman

by

Louise Erdrich

The Night Watchman: Juggie’s Boy Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
On the drive to Minot to see Wood Mountain fight, Thomas and his family debate how exactly he’ll beat Joe “Wobble” Wobleszynski. Joe Wobble’s family, years back, had encroached on the land of Wood Mountain’s grandmother. Patrice and Valentine watch the fight too. During the fight, Wood Mountain lets Joe Wobble’s punches slide off him without absorbing their impact. Wood Mountain senses an opportunity and lands a combination. With Joe Wobble dazed, Wood Mountain steps in, but the bell rings 15 seconds before the round is supposed to end. “Foul! Foul! Fifteen seconds left,” Barnes yells.
Joe Wobble’s family stealing land from Wood Mountain’s family highlights how deeply-rooted, and intimate, exploitation of Native people at the hands of white people is in the region, going back generations between families who still know each other. The injustice carried out by Joe Wobble’s ancestors is then echoed when someone rings the end-of-round bell 15 seconds early, an unseen authority acting unjustly on behalf of Joe, saving him from potential defeat.
Themes
Power, Solidarity, and Community Action Theme Icon
Agency and Exploitation Theme Icon
Quotes
On the ride home, Thomas remembers a trip south he took with Wood Mountain’s father, Archille, and the discrimination and racism they faced. He then starts to talk to Archille, who died years ago, and tells him how well Wood Mountain fought. He also tells Archille that he’s trying to fight the bill coming out of Washington. He doesn’t know what it is, he says, but he knows that it’s not good.
On a trip south with Wood Mountain’s father, Archille, Thomas also faced racism, showing how racism against Native people has permeated United States culture, regardless of region. That racism, then, has led to governmental policy, like the Termination Bill, which aims to eliminate Native tribes.
Themes
Power, Solidarity, and Community Action Theme Icon
Oppression and Supposed Good Intentions Theme Icon
Agency and Exploitation Theme Icon