The Night Watchman

The Night Watchman

by

Louise Erdrich

The Night Watchman: Thwack Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
While visiting the baby at the Paranteau house, Wood Mountain hears the thwack, thwack of an ax as Patrice chops wood. With each thwack, Wood Mountain feels a crack in his chest. Barnes gets his uncle to give Wood Mountain some boxing lessons. He brings an electric turntable and teaches Wood Mountain to coordinate his combinations to the music.
As Barnes’s romantic life becomes more complicated, he also seems to let go of some of the jealousy that led to tension in his relationship with Wood Mountain, allowing them to work together more easily. Wood Mountain, on the other hand, seems to only be becoming more infatuated with Patrice.
Themes
Sex, Violence, and Gender Theme Icon