Witchcraft, Healing and Ancestral Spirits: A Comparative Analysis of Selected Novels of Gloria Naylor and Louise Erdrich

Bc. Lenka Kaclerová

Master's thesis

Abstract:

My thesis deals with three concepts―the concept of witchcraft, healing and ancestral spirits that can be found in African American and Native American cultures. The chosen novels are a novel Mama Day by African American author Gloria Naylor and Tracks and Four Souls by Native American author Louise Erdrich. There are many similarities between African American and Native American cultures that are analyzed in the thesis. The three main ones are the witchcraft, healing and the presence of ancestral spirits. These concepts are projected into female characters of Mama Day and Fleur. These women are seen as witches, healers and intermediaries between the real world and the world of ancestors. They are endowed with special powers that are inherited from their ancestors. Both Mama Day and Fleur share many similarities―having abiltity to cast spells, call for storms and heal people. They also represent the connection to one’s past and heritage. They are healers but in some cases, one of them, Fleur, becomes the patient that needs to be healed. She needs to undergo a painful journey of finding her identity and name that has been lost. The memory stands as an important element in one’s healing as it is through acknowledgment of ancestral spirits and memory that one might be healed.

Keywords

African American, Native American, witchcraft, healing, ancestral spirits, ancestors, identity, memory, Gloria Naylor, Louise Erdrich

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 27. 5. 2008

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 11. 6. 2008
• Supervisor: Mgr. et Mgr. Kateřina Prajznerová, M.A.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Philology / English Language and Literature