Misshepeshu Character Analysis in Tracks

The lake monster said to guard Matchimanito. He is feared by the villagers and assumed to be evil because of the way the lake has proven inhospitable to anyone but the Pillager family. Fleur seems to have a more amicable relationship with the spirit, though, and some people believe she has a romantic relationship with the monster that keeps it at bay. Villagers even speculate as to whether Misshepeshu might be the father of Fleur’s children. When Pauline loses her mind near the end of the book, she conflates Misshepeshu with the devil, and believes she is attacking the monster, when in fact it is Napoleon she kills.

Misshepeshu Character Timeline in Tracks

The timeline below shows where the character Misshepeshu appears in Tracks. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...woods in the hopes of measuring the lake, despite their fear of the lake monster, Misshepeshu. Nanapush tries to convince Fleur to stay with him in his cabin, but she remains... (full context)

...his own bathtub. After this, despite Fleur’s beauty, men steer clear of her, certain that Misshepeshu, the lake monster, wants her for himself. Pauline shares the warnings that mothers give to... (full context)

...parentage of: fathered in the smokehouse, or by the Agent, or by the lake monster Misshepeshu. The child (Lulu) smiles in her sleep, perhaps because she knows people argue over her... (full context)

...selfish way for her to find peace. Speaking of the reservation again, Pauline says that Misshepeshu is benevolent for a time. She sees the light of his eyes in Lulu, but... (full context)

...that Fleur’s rejection of his advances is caused by her copulating with the lake monster Misshepeshu. Eli thinks Fleur is pregnant, but not by him. (full context)

...Pauline, meanwhile, believes that Christ hid from her out of cowardice in the face of Misshepeshu, but she commits herself again to God despite his weakness. When her bandages are changed,... (full context)