21FA-LS-5653 - Native American Literature: House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle
Bibliography:
Tingle, Tim. 2014. House of Purple Cedar. El Paso, Texas: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN: 9781935955252
Plot Summary:
Rose Goode looks back on her life as a young Choctaw girl growing up in Skullyville, Oklahoma, in 1896. She attends the New Hope Academy for Girls until the school is tragically burned down, leading twenty girls to an early grave. Rose is devasted by the event, being one of the few making out of the building alive. She finds comfort in her grandparents, Amafo and Pokoni, who are respected elders in their small community. Soon after, during a trip to the main town, Spiro, Rose witnesses her grandfather being brutally beaten in public by the sheriff, Marshal Hardwicke. Instead of retaliating, Amafo confronts the marshal with kindness and forgiveness, while Marshal Hardwicke insists on leading a destructive life, holding prejudices against the Choctaw community. With the help of a few Spiro allies and the Choctaw people, they fight together against the cruelty of Marshal Hardwicke.
Critical Analysis:
House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle is a Historical Magical Realism Young Adult novel set in the late 18th century of Oklahoma. The story is told from different perspectives, including Rose's first-person point of view in 1967 and 1896 and an overall third-person point of view. The setting accurately depicts the time as Tingle includes consistent details, such as traveling by wagons, horses, dirt roads, and warming blankets with fireplaces. Readers will easily place the characters in the 1896 - 1897 Oklahoma environment, especially with language and diverse cast of characters. The language portrays authentic dialogue that would be relevant to the era, like saying britches instead of pants or, "Be a purty good ride getting there, don't you think?"
Rose Goode is a wholesome eleven-year-old Choctaw girl who endures the most hardship throughout the novel. The novel begins with Rose losing one of her closest friends in the New Hope Academy fire and continues with more heartache and loss. Amafo and Pokoni depict the perfect Native American grandparents. They are respected elders in the Skullyville community, and they reflect peaceful individuals who are wise and knowledgeable. The characters also display traditional Indigenous characteristics, such as Pokoni's thick black hair. All of the Choctaw characters are represented as calm-spirited and good-natured. Most of the Nahullos, "white-skinned people," are depicted as friendly and welcoming, especially Maggie Johnston, a stout unmarried woman in her mid-40s with one wooden leg. Maggie is the most colorful character of the entire story. In contrast, Marshal Hardwicke is the worst character in the entire story and a realistic prejudiced antagonist. Hardwicke is evil and violent. He takes advantage of his position as the town's sheriff, drinks too much whiskey at all hours of the day, and is extremely cruel. Hardwicke abuses his wife, beats Amafo in public with a wooden panel, kills a man and steals his identity, and burns down an elderly couple's barn — nearly taking their dog down too. The Choctaw community also has an unspoken belief that Hardwicke burned down the Girls Academy. He is downright offensive, and Tim Tingle heavily plays into the balance of good and evil. On the other hand, Hardwicke's wife, Ona Mae, is a sweet and mild woman who struggles with self-esteem and standing up for herself. She is the character who most likely develops the most in terms of growth as she gains support from other battered characters and the young Choctaw children.
Tim Tingle's Oklahoma Choctaw heritage shines in this novel through cultural values, religion, language, customs, symbolism, and imagery. The story authentically represents Choctaw traditions and culture, such as the traditional stickball bats used for chanting and dancing or the power of vision and foreseeing the future. Rose and Pokoni share the Native American gift of sight. Tingle also includes the ancestral belief of new birth representing the spirit of a lost loved one. Christianity is also heavily incorporated into the story as the Choctaws practiced the Christian religion. Saul's travels to Damascus is one example of Christianity that is shared in the story. Furthermore, all of the Choctaw characters have a distinct dialogue of the Choctaw language, like Yakoke (thank you), Hoke (okay), Achukma (good), and Chipisa Lachi — which means see you in the future. Tingle's writing includes rich details of imagery and symbolism as well. For instance, Rose describes the burning school as a skeleton coming apart bone by bone.
Overall, House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle is an authentic account of Choctaw experiences in the late 18th century that invites reflection. The characters are realistic and dynamic. Readers will forget that the story is fictional and not based on actual events. The story also has a magical realism charm that blends fantasy with historical fiction, like panthers metaphorically turning into people. Tingle's quality writing is superb and distinctive. Several stories are incorporated into this book, but Tingle effortlessly intertwines all of the characters and plots. He also includes culturally rich depictions of Choctaw traditions and people. I recommend the book for teenagers and young adults, but I believe mature audiences can handle the violent themes in the novel. Young readers of this novel should be aware of extreme content that includes murder, assault, and death. Anyone looking for an excellent depiction of Choctaw history should pick up this book.
Awards and Reviews:
- 2015 CCBC Choice Selection
- 2016 American Indian Youth Literature Award
- 2016 Longlist for the Dublin Literary Award
From Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, "Tingle's storytelling is both deeply poetic—the inclusion of Choctaw hymnal lyrics is affecting even for those who can't read them—and gently spiced with dialect, making this a feast for gourmets of good storytelling."
From Kirkus Reviews, "In quiet, often poetic language drawn from nature's images…the tale is ripe with symbolism and peopled by riveting characters. A lyrical, touching tale of love and family, compassion and forgiveness."
From Shelf Awareness, "An overarching message of forgiveness and love, underscored by themes of patience and resilience, takes House of Purple Cedar from historical to timeless. Readers won't need to be Oklahomans or history buffs to appreciate the book's intricate web of small town happenings and mystical realism. To enjoy this world, you need only an open heart and a love of great stories."
Connections:
Discussion: After reading House of Purple Cedar, invite patrons or students to reflect on the literary elements throughout the story. What kind of imagery or symbolism is discussed in the novel that represents the Choctaw tribe? Invite patrons or students to discuss their thoughts and ideas of what happened when Pokoni turned into the panther? Why does a panther also show up when Roberta Jean is tied up by Marshal Hardwicke?
Activity: For patrons or students interested in learning more about the Choctaw heritage, invite them to explore the Choctaw Nation website: https://www.choctawnation.com. On the website, patrons and students can learn more about Choctaw traditions, government, and history. They also have a YouTube channel for anyone interested in educational videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChoctawNationVideo.
Readers who enjoyed House of Purple Cedar might also like the following Tim Tingle novels:
- 2019. Stone River Crossing. ISBN: 9781620148235
- 2014. No Name. ISBN: 9781939053060
- 2013. How I Became a Ghost. ISBN: 9781937054533
- 2010. Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light. Illustrated by Karen Clarkson. ISBN: 9781933693675
- 2006. Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom. Illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges. ISBN: 9780938317777