Sexual violence is ubiquitously depicted in media, ranging from thought-provoking to manipulative. How does Erdrich handle sexual violence in this novel? Do writers and other artists have a moral responsibility in how they represent sexual violence?
Sexual violence is ubiquitously depicted in media, ranging from thought-provoking to manipulative. How does Erdrich handle sexual violence in this novel? Do writers and other artists have a moral responsibility in how they represent sexual violence?
Erdrich portrays sexual violence in a real and true manner. The long term effects of sexual violence are displayed throughout the book, such as when Clemence, a victim of rape, eats extremely little and stays in bed for weeks at a time. Her son is also traumatized by the abuse done to his mother, which leads him to commit murder. This in turn causes even more psychological issues. Another example is when Sonja puts on a sexual show for Joe and his grandfather because she realizes men see her as a sexual object. Erdrich greatly explains the psychological pressures that sexual violence creates for the victim and their loved ones. Writers and other artists have a moral responsibility in how they represent sexual violence because, they need to teach their audiences how demoralizing this type of abuse really is. Spreading awareness about sexual violence will hopefully lead to less abuse and more outreach worldwide.
I agree that writers and artists have a moral responsibility to portray sexual violence in a realistic way. It seems like some pop culture, especially music, can portray sexual violence in a way that makes it seem passionate but describes none of the physical, social, and emotional harm it causes. I’m remembering the song “Love the Way You Lie”, which talks about domestic violence (“I’ll tie her to this bed and light the house on fire”) but contains a chorus lines of “I like the way it hurts//I love the way you lie”. I don’t know all of the details about this song, but it disturbs me to think that middle schoolers would hear this song on the radio with without an outside influence telling the truth about abuse and sexual violence. Much of what we learn, especially in the formative teenage years, is either what we experience or what we see in the media, so I believe that writers and other artists must accurately portray sexual violence (and the damage that ensues) instead of glossing over it or portraying it as an act of love and passion.
I think that Erdrich does a fantastic job of portraying the aftereffects of sexual abuse/violence, as mentioned in the examples that maurisar gave. Joe ‘s happy family life is completely shattered by the violence his mother experienced. He sees his parents sleep in different rooms, and recalls how his mother used to feed them but now stays completely isolated in her room. She is wrecked by the trauma; even her husband nearing her from behind causes her to drop a casserole. Sexual abuse wreaks havoc on Clemence and her family (as well as all other victims around the world), and Erdrich displays this well.
Erdrich’s decision to go beyond illustrating the toll that the rape takes on Clemence and to instead include the effects it has on the entire family really allows the readers to understand with much more depth the damage that an even like rape can cause. The dynamic of Joe’s family and household has been completely changed and he is so desperate to have his old life back that he is pushed to commit a murder. Erdrich makes the readers see that every member of the family feels hopeless and lost, and by doing so she is able to show the widespread effects of rape that are not always considered.
I thought it was really interesting how you brought up the song “Love the Way You Lie”! However, after looking more in depth into the lyrics, I came to a different conclusion. I think that the song in way shows the multitude of sides and reactions that abuse can have, both on the abuser and the one being abused. It discusses the moral apprehension of the abuser and the disgust with himself (in this case, however not all abusers are men), along with how many of those who are abused find themselves coming back because of manipulation and the sheer fact that it can be one of the most difficult things to leave the one you love. And while I understand your interpretation of the words “I love the way you lie”, I also think in a less literal sense, one can see that the lyrics explain much more about the complex and seemingly contradictory feelings being experienced by both parties involved. However, I do feel concern in middle schoolers and even high schoolers listening to this music. A true understanding of the lyrics only comes after studying them, not just hearing them on the radio. And with children being bombarded with news stories that place the blame on the victim, I worry that songs like this, when not fully understood, can solidify the victim blaming they’re constantly taught.
I’m glad you looked into those lyrics more fully–the song is actually a very interesting look into the dynamics of an abusive relationship. I agree completely with you that, without academic study of the lyrics–which very few people are likely to do–this song can be harmful to the way in which people think about abuse.
Personally, I feel that the song “Love the Way You Lie” depicts both of the sides of abusive relationships, however in The Round House, there is no real abusive relationship, because the rapist and the victim aren’t in a relationship — it is more of a hunter/hunted relationship in my eyes. I think that Joe realizes this and knows that the only way to truly end the hunt is to kill the hunter…
I think Sonja is very pertinent in the discussion of sexual violence, as you mentioned above. Erdrich lends complexity to the experiences of her main victim, Geraldine, when she depicts Sonja and her scarred past. Erdrich depicts Sonja as someone who has “a sad calm face that never really [lightens] up,” almost certainly due to the demoralizing experiences she had as an exotic dancer. It proves that beyond the physical wounds a survivor of sexual assault may face, there will often times remain an ebbing emotional trauma that can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Erdrich draws parallels between Whitey’s physical abuse to Sonja and the emotional trauma of her previous job to demonstrate the likelihood of sexual violence survivors falling into self destructive behaviours as a direct result of the trauma they faced at one time or another. Sonja confesses she “got stuck in that life” to the point where she “didn’t think [she] was worth marrying” because her self image had been so greatly tarnished from getting “beat up a lot” (221-222). The abuse at the hands of these various “men” convince her it is ok to be hit even by Whitey, someone who “started [protecting]” her, only to be her later abuser (221-222). The catastrophic effects of sexual assault do not simply vanish when the environment changes or the circumstances end. This is evidenced in both Sonja, a more emotional depiction, and Geraldine, the physical embodiment with her withdrawal from human companionship and proper self sustainability.
I agree that this novel depicts not only the immediate effects of sexual violence, but also how it can often times tear families apart. Joe and his dad had to sit in a chair next to Geraldine for weeks in order to get her to look at/talk to them again, let alone share anything about what happened to her.
I believe Erdrich really shows what sexual violence does to the victim and their family, whereas pop culture has a way of skimming past the events or blaming the victim.
In this story, Erdrich expertly calls to light the fact that rape is not the only type of sexual abuse there is. I think it’s great you bring up Joe’s whole twisted view of Sonja and their relationship, because even though his mother has just recently been attacked, he still manipulates Sonja into preforming what is at its core a sexual favor. It is easy for a reader to immediately condemn Linden for his actions, but in reality, sexual abuse is not always so clear to someone. Joe has always viewed Sonja as a sexual object, eyeing her breasts when he gets a chance, fantasizing about her and so forth, but simply being a teenage boy doesn’t make this okay. As an author, or as anyone portraying sexual violence such as an artist or a songwriter, it is important that rape is not the only kind of abuse ever mentioned, because this is a much larger issue than that. Sexual violence COULD be something as extreme as rape. It could also be blackmailing someone in the way Joe does. Or it could even take the form of a pushy guy or girl with an uncomfortable partner who isn’t quite ready to take things all the way. Simply saying “at least I’m not as bad as a rapist” doesn’t excuse anyone’s other inappropriate actions.
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I firmly believe that a writer should write whatever they choose to, as well as depict something in any way they feel necessary. If a writer only wrote about what they knew, then I would only be able to write about a white teenager living in suburban Los Angeles. The genre of fiction alone would not exist. As long as a writer voices an opinion, backs it up, and sticks to it, I don’t think moral responsibility is a necessary part. However, I personally take sexual violence and harm against another seriously, and would hope the author takes into consideration the damaging consequences of that violence. While I agree with Erdrich, I would not have an issue with her right to depict her story differently had she changed it. Erdrich depicts the act as evil and goes into great detail how violated Joe’s mother felt as well as how cruel Lark treated the women at the Round House. Sexual violence not only affects the victim, but also the people who care for the victim. Joe’s father becomes drained physically and mentally trying to save his wife and prosecute her attacker; Clemence and Sonja both worry incessantly and have to care for Joe while his mother absent; Joe loses his mother for a brief moment and is driven to murder just to regain his mother’s happiness and love. Sexual violence is more than just rape, and Erdrich asserts her message aggressively and honestly.
I agree with Katie, I think that if the author had not completely and honestly depicted the consequences of the rape, she would not have done the story justice. The author is writing this novel about a very controversial topic, so there’s a lot of pressure on her to write the story a certain way, but the only correct way to write it is whatever way the author wants to show her thoughts. Without the honest words, however cruel and horrible, written about the sexual assault and the traumatic emotional consequences, the reader would not have understood fully the effects of rape on the victims and also the people around them. If Erdrich didn’t speak out and didn’t show everything in the book in detail, she would be wronging a lot of people. Overall, I’m glad that Erdrich stepped up to the plate to talk about something that not a lot of people want to face.
Sexual violence should be depicted however an author or artist sees fit. The only moral responsibility they should have is to never show it in a glorifying or positive light. Sexual violence is an awful thing in this world, but it never affects two people the same way. Because of this, people’s understanding of and experience with sexual violence ranges greatly from person to person. This is why I believe sexual violence should be portrayed in literary works or other forms of art exactly as the creator sees it. As more diverse, eye-opening, and real world experiences with this awful crime begin to surface, it is my hope that the world will take notice and become much more understanding and proactive in the fight against sexual violence.
Similar to what others have written, I believe authors and artists have the moral obligation to depict sexual violence as they see true, but I think they must also consider both sides of the story. Though this novel focuses on Joe’s family’s perspective and in no way justifies Linden’s crimes, I like how it touches on where his mind was and why he did what he did, according to Linda. I think Erdrich does a thorough job depicting the devastating and draining effect of rape on a family unit. The act is said to have “nearly severed my mother’s spirit from her body”(45) and as Bazil and Joe attempt to regain sense of normality, Gerladine remains absent as Bazils speaks “to the crease in the blankets that was my mother”(154). Having to make conversation with the “walls and furniture” (157) again highlights on the truth and severing effect that Erdrich focuses on in her portrayal of rape. Erdrich also handles sexual violence as something that is partly made possible by the unjust laws that fail to protect the Native women. The societal norms are also seen through Joe and other males’ sexualization of women and their bodies. Even though Joe has experienced the pain of sexual violence in his family, he still objectifies and violates Sonja.
Erdrich does a fantastic job painting a picture of the after-effects of rape and sexual violence. There is understandable confusion on Joe’s part, who is made privy to far more knowledge than he is able to fully comprehend at his age. He struggles to push his family back towards normalcy and is frustrated by what he has lost; his mother’s affection and his sense of safety sense of peace. He eventually murders Lark in an attempt to heal his mother, though at the end of it all finds that they have all “become old” in spite of his efforts. There is no going back. I found the strip scene with Sonja very interesting. I suppose the message is that the trap of sexism and objectification can be inescapable, no matter someone’s personal circumstances.
Sexual violence is rampant, but discussion about it is usually either glamorized or unfairly justified. Honest, thoughtful accounts of rape and assault are incredibly important. If not because of the moral obligations of writers to treat the subject with care, then because doing otherwise shows an author’s basic lack of respect and insight into the issue.
Like others have been saying, I believe that sexual violence and the impact that it has on all those close to the victim can vary greatly from person to person. Erdrich could have chosen many different reactions from Geraldine and her family in response to the rape and they would have been equally valid. With that being said, Erdrich shows a nuanced view in her portrayal of sexual violence by showing the impact on Joe’s family and community. I was particularly impressed by how well she showed how an event like this could impact a young person like Joe, by showing his progression through the novel from a young boy to someone capable of killing in the name of vengeance. One of the moments that struck me most was when Bazil goes to sleep in the sewing room for the first time during his marriage with Geraldine. It’s small moments like these throughout the novel that Erdrich has included that really showcase the impact of sexual violence in a thoughtful and profound way.
Erdrich offers a rather unconventional and unique approach to depict the full effect that sexual violence has on an individual. Rather than emphasizing sexual assault as a singular event, Erdrich explores the transformative physical and emotional consequences that sexual assault has on an individual. Erdrich closely follows the transformation that Geraldine goes through throughout the entirety of the novel, somewhat like a case study. Erdrich begins the novel by illustrating the devastating effects that rape has. She notes that Geraldine’s “serene reserve was gone-nervous horror welled across her face”, and the act “had nearly severed [Geraldine’s] spirit from her body” (23, 45). Erdrich concludes the novel by emphasizing that justice can only do so much for an individual. After Joe murdered Lark, Joe’s father told Joe that there was “no justice for your mother, [Lark’s] victim, or for Mayla, and yet justice exists” (305). This somewhat ironic remark exemplifies the permanence of Lark’s actions on his victims. Again, rather than viewing the assault as a singular and exclusive event, Erdrich addresses Geraldine’s situation as a lifelong struggle in the hopes of emphasizing the permanent effects that an assault has on an individual.
I feel that authors and artists have a tremendous moral and ethical responsibility in how they portray the effects of sexual violence. Often times, authors simply ignore the psychological, emotional, and mental effects that an assault has on an individual. However, these intangible and metaphysical traits are often the most damaged following an attack.
I truly adored this novel for its literary merit, however, I feel that some parts of the story advocate for unhealthy ways of coping with such a traumatic event. While I agree with many of you that the artist has the right and obligation to portray the story in a way that fits their reality, educating the public to retaliate rape with murder should not be the moral take away. A large part of the advertisement to this book is educating people about sexual and domestic violence within the Native American community and world at large, however, many of the coping mechanisms of Joe and his father are damaging and unhealthy to both themselves and his mother. For example, various times throughout the novel, Joe’s father argues for transparency with Joe, yet when it comes to what is occurring with his mother, he is offered none. As seen by Joe’s reckless behavior, he needed someone to confide in while working through his own shock and disbelief and that Cappy, Angus, and Zack, other thirteen year olds, are unable to provide him with a supportive, clear minded environment. Along with their confused emotions, both men pressure Geraldine to recover faster than she is ready to. Joe and his father want things to return to normal without regards to their mother’s feelings of being ready. While I understand this mindset, it is damaging to thing such a traumatic event can be overturned and forgotten about so quickly. Although I truly enjoyed reading this novel, I feel that Erdrich should have portrayed better coping mechanisms in her characters, or at least made a disclaimer about healthy ways to help victims.
I disagree that Erdrich suggests unhealthy ways to cope with sexual assault. First of all, the moral of the story was not to commit murder in response to traumatic events–it was far from this suggestion. I think Erdrich offers a more complicated theme about how vengeance is not always moral and does not actually lift the burden of pain from an individual. This is especially noted when Joe admits to being haunted in his dreams by Lark. Also, his father states that the person who murdered Lark will always have to live with the “human consequences” (306). Therefore, it is clear that Erdrich is not suggesting murder is the answer, but quite the opposite. It is an unatural act that will haunt Joe and Cappy the rest of their lives. On top of this, Erdrich reveals a genuine depiction of the messiness of pain and recovery. There is never a right way to healing, and Erdrich depicts this through Joe and his father’s grief and restlessness. That is a realistic view of the aftermath of such an event. Thus, I do not think Erdrich has any obligation to teach one how to cope healthily with sexual assault and rape. Instead, I think she makes the reader look inside the reality of this messy situation and realize the severe effects of rape. This alone sends a strong message against sexual violence.
I agree that witnessing the characters struggle to cope with the aftermath of Clemence’s rape is heartbreaking. At moments it is frustrating to see Joe’s father denying him the information he needs to understand the situation – especially when it would enable him to better care for and empathize with his mother. However, I think this was Erdrich’s intention. No part of rape is easy to deal with (for the victim or his/her family) and although there may be guidelines for women recovering from such trauma, such as immediately contacting authorities and seeking therapeutic care, it is often too painful and difficult for them to speak about openly. In addition, Joe’s father really has no idea what to do, and feels completely helpless. He is struggling to cope with the event as well, and feel helpless and unsure of how to proceed, because there isn’t a perfectly effective standard set of guidelines on how how one can best support a victim of rape. You are so right, Isabelle, that women are often rushed in their recovery. Joe and his father, while trying to be sympathetic, desperately want everything to return to “normal” again. But I think Erdrich did this to illustrate how victims need to be allowed to heal in their own way and time, not to promote the behavior Joe and his father exhibit.
I completely agree, Isabelle, that witnessing the characters cope with the aftermath of Clemence’s rape is heartbreaking. It can be frustrating to watch Joe’s father deny him the information he needs to understand the situation, especially when it would allow him to better care for and empathize with his mother. However, I believe Erdrich does this to show that there is no perfect way to deal with rape. While there may be certain suggested guidelines for victims of rape, such as immediately contacting authorites and seeking therapeutic care, it is often too painful and difficult for women to speak openly about. Joe’s father is also struggling to deal with the rape, and is unsure of how he can help his wife recover. He feels helpless, because there is no ideal, effective, standard set of guidelines on how to help a victim of rape. You are so right, Isabelle, that women are often rushed in their recovery from such an event. Joe and his father just want everything to return to “normal” and their frustration ultimately just leads to greater tension within the household. I believe Erdrich does this to show that victims need to be allowed to heal in their own way and time, however, not to promote the behavior that Joe and his father exhibit.
Erdrich tends to avoid the explicit depiction of the rape in this novel, a model that I think perhaps most authors and other artists should consider when exploring such events. The expression of truth and reality when recounting incidents of sexual violence is critical–as mentioned by various other students–however, audience and circumstance must be considered above all else. It is imperative that artists consider the platform and audience of their work when exploring such sensitive materials. Often times, survivors can be triggered and experience relapse or withdrawals when the accounts of their attack are presented before them in say a novel or painting. The truth can help shed light on subjects typically considered inappropriate or uncomfortable for public discussion, when most often those are the topics most important to discuss. If society does not discuss problems, a solution will never be reached; yet, this also means ensuring personal safety and recognizing serious emotions surrounding individuals’ personal experiences. While truth reigns as the ultimate tool of growth, it is also important that artists recognize the serious impacts of their words and actions and help their audience understand what they’re experiencing (or going to experience), and the possible outcomes resulting. Certainly artists–and everyone–have the moral obligation to disband discussions of sexual violence that paint victims simultaneously as their own perpetrators, or any conversation similar. Glorification also ought never to be tolerated by artists, or their potential creations. While it can seem simple to tell the whole truth and nothing but, it’s important above all else to ensure survivors are not put in further danger by these discussions.
What I especially found interesting about this novel was that the sexual violence is told through what Geraldine seems fit, and wants to share. No information regarding her assault was revealed until she took it upon herself to answer that question. Because the narrator is Joe, our only view of the situation is from what Geraldine reveals, which I think is an incredibly understanding idea on Erdrich’s part. I firmly believe that the situation must be controlled by the survivor of the situation, or, in this case Geraldine, since they were the ones deprived of control to begin with. Giving the narrative of her attack to solely Geraldine was a way of her redeeming some control regarding the situation
I also believe that, while authors and artists do retain some power and freedom over how they express sexual violence, there are certain things they should be wary of. Authors and artists should always be sensitive to their audience: their age, gender, race, etc. Being forthcoming is also always a good thing, and leaving out harsh details might be a good idea in some cases, so as to not hurt the audience you are trying to tell the story to. No author or artist quite knows the individuals who will be reading, watching, and interpreting their work, so a certain amount of caution must be exercised.
I agree, Erdrich using Joe as the narrator is an effective way to withhold information from the reader. As part of her trauma, Geraldine blocks others from helping her and does not give much detail of the attack. The fact that Joe is the narrator and knew little about the incident increases the confusion and suspense for the reader. Erdrich handled the sexual assault well by telling the story through Joe’s perspective. The effects of the attack are enforced by Geraldine shutting her family out, leaving Joe angry and frustrated. Erdrich waited until weeks after the violence to have Geraldine explain the details, which gives the reader a sense of the pain and trauma that she was feeling. The author chose to reveal this information later in the novel in order to illustrate the effects of sexual violence in a realistic and emotional manner.
Authors and other artists have a responsibility to portray sexual assaults in a realistic yet appropriate way. Various forms of damage, such as physical, psychological, and relationship strains, should be explained or detailed in their works. Authors should inform readers correctly of sexual attacks in order to raise awareness, though people experiencing different effects of sexual assault and keeping mind of the age of their audiences are things to acknowledge.
Erdrich portrays the realities of rape through the acknowledgement of both motive and suffering. Through Joe’s narration, the effect of rape can be seen in the dynamic of the whole family. This brings the consequence of rape beyond a single person. However, I think that Erdrich’s larger message is that rape is an act fueled by a search for power. Throughout the novel the reservation and its people remain a separate group, a separate class than the outside community. The reservation has different laws, different standards of acceptability, and a different social standing than the rest of the country. These people are regarded as different, or unequal than the rest of America. Linden Lark, Geraldine’s rapist, has a sick need to assert his power over these people. Earlier in his life, his sister Linda gives him a kidney that saves his life. However, he regards Linda as beneath him because of her physical deformities and refuses her help. With what he determines to be weakness literally within him, he later has an internal need to assert power over his sister’s community. His target was no random choice. Linden understands Joe’s family’s elevated social class within the reservation and his devastation of the family heightens his sense of power. The hurt and suffering he causes bring him fascination if not joy, and Erdrich makes this clear during the interaction between Joe’s father and Linden in the grocery store. “Lark seemed to be smiling…Like he was excited by our attack” (Erdrich 244). Through Linden’s character, Erdrich creates an honest and haunting depiction of pain and empathy within Joe’s family and the reservation. In this way, Erdrich takes a stance on rape that is rarely acknowledged, establishing the social motives for rape in order to explore the devastating effects of sexual violence on a community.
Erdrich goes more in depth with the emotional scarring that stems from sexual violence. Not only does Erdrich show Geraldine’s physical transformation, for example with her slowly becoming thinner with her lack of appetite, but she also highlights Geraldine’s difficulty with being able to reconnect with her husband and Joe. It’s interesting and important that Erdrich chose to show how Joe felt and how from his perspective, the ways he dealt with his mother’s rape. He struggles with how his family cannot go back to the way things were and how his mother’s attacker was not caught, until he took matters into his own hands. A lot of the time, the ongoing trauma that a family faces from sexual violence is ignored, but I liked how Erdrich chose to go a different route instead and represent their ongoing situation. For example, Erdrich showed how the intimacy that Geraldine and her husband once shared was damaged by the rape. She didn’t pretend to write how Geraldine and Bazil could go back to the normalcy of their marriage as if nothing happened, but showed the distress and distance (in this case Bazil sleeping in another room for months) that both characters faced during the aftermath.
I think that artists and writers have a responsibility to represent the reality about sexual violence. I believe that rape has a tendency to be overlooked and not examined as closely as it should be. Erdrich showed post-rape trauma and how a family has to heal from it which I think is something that we all don’t necessarily take into account. The victim suffers, but the family does as well. Rape is a subject that needs to be discussed. I agree with others that sexual violence should be acknowledged and that artists and writers should exercise the subject with caution because it is difficult and complex.
Erdrich shares in detail the effects of rape through Geraldine emotionally and physically. Through this depiction, Erdrich shows the stages in which Geraldine tries to cope with the attack and although slow, eventually moves past it. Through Joe, readers can see how rape affects not only the victim but the victim’s family as well. Although the story is written through Joe’s perspective, readers were also shown how the attack affected the other characters throughout the plot.
I believe that writers and other artists do have a moral responsibility to truthfully represent sexual violence. Novels are just another form of media and readers look to authors to represent sensitive topics like rape, honestly. Often times, the media can overlook or desensitize sexual violence while trying to respect the victims. Writing false facts about sexual violence dilutes the harsh reality of trauma and the road to recovery.
Although the underlying thoughts and feeling are not directly expressed from Geraldine, Erdrich provides an excellent picture of how she felt and changed through Joe’s eyes. I feel Erdrich may have used Joe as a narrator to depict the importance of damage to surrounding people. This look provides a unique perspective that brings forth thoughts and views that are not the norm. Rather than a direct narrative from Geraldine, insight as to how those around someone in her situation cope, help, and heal. The book expresses the importance of all roles in a tragedy. It opens the reader’s eyes and increases awareness of the thought process before, during, and after a sexual crime, processes which can be inferred to relate to other crimes as well.
I believe that writers and artists 100% have a moral responsibility to represent sexual violence in an articulate and TRUTHFUL manner. Although I enjoy most styles of music, I hold huge issues with rappers/singers that romanticize abuse/sexual violence/etc. Many performers are the most prevalent artists that have the most ability to make a difference and it is possible to make a bop without resorting to horrific lines –
Louse Erdrich’s unflinching ability to paint the reality of sexual violence is incredibly important and brave. It is a step in a positive direction that I hope will gain popularity and continue.
There is this conflict of interests going on in me right now because as much as I believe that sexual violence should be appropriately portrayed, I also think that censorship/ restricting how an author goes about the topic of sexual violence should not happen. I’m not entirely sure whether we should allow creative license and have the audience deem if the depiction is acceptable or if we should hold authors to a standard so that we don’t have to make that judgement for ourselves. What do other people think about the topic?
Erdirch handles sexuall violence by showing the impact it has on the person who suffers the attack, but also those around them. It is very interesting and in some ways I find it more powerful that she framed it in this way. This technique allows you to feel the impact of the attack very authentically. In my opinion, there is at least one character in the novel who was impacted by this attack that everyone can relate with. By doing this, it takes away the ability for someone to dismiss the message of the story, believing that this will never impact them. I believe that artists do in fact have a responsibility to address the issue of sexual violence. One of the main ways that we form our personal values and beliefs about others is through different mediums of art. Through these mediums we express who we are and what we stand for.
Sexual violence can be a very sensitive and even controversial topic- especially in today’s day and age. However, in my opinion, the author handles this issue quite well. While choosing to have a young boy narrate this novel is a unique decision, I thought it works well as it provides other perspectives rather than just that of the direct victim. In addition, it arguably shows that in some cases, there is more than meets the eye in terms of who falls victim to the effects sexual violence can have. This concept is most obviously seen through the drastic psychological changes in Joe and his father after seeing how negatively impacted their mother/wife was after her experience with sexual violence. Additionally, most authors experience a moral pressure to depict sexual violence in a certain light, however, whether they give in to it or not is their decision. Ultimately, it’s no one’s true responsibility to portray the sensitive issue of sexual violence in one correct way. As earlier stated on this page, sexual violence and its aftermath can be a different experience for everyone.
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Erdrich portrays sexual violence and abuse in very understood and important ways. From the start, the audience is captured by the event that has occurred; we see Geraldine covered in vomit and blood, “her hands clenched on the wheel and she was staring blindly ahead” (6) The author effectively illustrates the emotional toll rape victims experience. Although many readers haven’t experienced this type of trauma first-hand, most can empathize with the victim. For most of the book, Geraldine is locked in her room, refusing to eat. She and Bazil sleep in different rooms as Erdrich shows how sexual assault can begin to tear a family apart. Joe starts to lie to his dad more often throughout the novel; he becomes obsessed with finding the assailant who hurt his mother, and in the end, he is obsessed with seeking justice. This portrayal is important for the audience to understand the level of grief and anger many families or individuals experience. Writers and artists have a moral responsibility for how they portray the aftermath and emotional fallout of abuse or assaults. It is their responsibility to inform and show how sexual assault dehumanizes people and alters their lives and relationships. To ineffectively portray this aspect of the assault would leave the story incomplete resulting in a disservice to victims of sexual assault.
Anytime someone is addressing a difficult issue, it is important that they are upfront. When it comes to handling sexual assault of any form, being vague does not help the victim and can continue suffering. After something as traumatic as rape occurs, a community needs to be supportive of the victim and allow them to be upset, sad, and angry and give them time and love to heal. Erdrich recognizes the fragility of survivors of sexual violence and shows how a family reacts to their mother being raped. Joe and his father both have the responsibility to be there for Geraldine in her state of distress.
Although humor accompanies the book, Erdrich never makes rape the laughing matter and ensures that the topic of rape always has a serious tone. Everyone has a responsibility to treat survivors with respect and support. When artists or people of social influence make fun of victims or joke about sexual assault, they perpetuate myths about rape and belittle anyone affected by violence. As a society, we need to listen to other people’s stories and make sure they are in an environment where they are safe and respected.
Sexual violence is handled well in The Round House. The inclusion of non-sexual violence by the rapist, such as the gasoline use and physical beating, is important when looking at events such as rape. Sexual violence on its own has not always been represented as extensively as other forms of violence; Erdrich’s inclusion of the more commonly represented crimes is a way of bringing up rape’s occurrence – despite its lack of representation in media, rape still happens. There isn’t necessarily a responsibility for artists to represent sexual violence in a certain way, although the topic should never be treated ignorantly. No artist should be forced to talk about such topics, but no one should ignore its prevalence or assume it doesn’t happen.
Louise Erdriche portrays sexual violence in a very realistic and serious manner. I believe the way the topic of rape within the novel was discussed is very important. Erdrich does a very good job at describing the stages of grief and how not everyone processes what has happened in the same way. By using Clemence, Sonja, and Mayla as people who have suffered through unthinkable events, the reader gets three different perspectives of sexual violence and how people may react. Erdrich stresses the importance of community and the support of others in these situations.
Unfortunately, in today’s society, sexual violence is often times overlooked. The media tends to ignore sexual assault which leads to an uneducated public. The best way to combat sexual violence is to learn about it. I believe that authors and artists have a moral responsibility to address these types of attacks in a respectful manner. The victim is never at fault.
The Round House depicts sexual violence in an indirect way. I think it is impossible to talk about how Erdrich handles sexual violence with out talking about perspective. She handles the cruelty and horror of the event by having us see it through her son’s eye’s. By doing this she can gradually reveal the horror of the event. It also makes it almost more painful to read. The reason perspective is so important is because Erdrich handles sexual violence by dealing with the after effects and secondary effects of the crime. The actual event is not the focus of the book. Erdrich focuses on how a woman who is violently raped acts after the incident. Erdrich focuses on how the sexual assault against a mother effects her child. Erdrich handles sexual violence by focusing on its after effects.
Erdrich portrays sexual violence in a realistic manner. She describes the physical effects of Geraldine’s rape in a way that isn’t overly gruesome but leaves the reader and characters in the story unsettled, disgusted and enraged at this terrible situation. Not only does she display the physical effects but the emotional effects too. The emotional trauma is so severe that she socially isolates herself, stops eating and becomes easily startled. The aftermath of the violent act tears apart the family. Erdrich makes sure to show that rape and sexual violence does not only affect the victim, in this case Geraldine, but also her family. Joe slowly becomes overwhelmed; causing him to go down this path of wrath. This path of wrath actually matured him but also blurred his vision of what is right and wrong.
Writers and other artists have a responsibility to depict realistic sexual violence. It is almost an unwritten obligation or moral accountability for how they represent victims of sexual violence and the act itself. We as a society cannot romanticize sexual violence, assault or rape. It we did not depict it realistically in any form of media or art, people would not learn anything about it. Victims would be outed in a way because no one would understand how they felt except for others who had also experienced it. Writers and other artists should have to educate and portray sexual violence in a real and serious manner because if not, attackers will feel as though they can still get away with these horrendous actions. Erdrich displays the situation in a way that the reader can understand how sexual violence affects people and their families while telling the story from Joe, not Geraldine. That is what makes it incredible that she depicted it accurately without even having to tell it from the victims point of view.
Erdrich shows sexual violence as what it is: violence. She shows the deep affect it can have on the victim, their family, and their entire community. She shows the layers of emotion and the grief that comes with having one’s body violated. What I find most important is that she showed that it was not a crime of passion, it was a crime meant to assert power over another person. Lark wanted to make Geraldine afraid of him because he didn’t want her to defend Mayla. I think authors have some sort of moral obligation to present sexual violence as violence. If the violence is glazed over as unimportant, the victim’s fault, an act of passion, or something that has no affect on the victim then readers may not realize the reality of rape. Does this mean authors have to show rape the way Erdrich did or even in a realistic way? No. It means that I believe they should to avoid contributing to the misinformation about rape and sexual violence in general that is already out there.