The Man Who Killed the Deer: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Man Who Killed the Deer" explores the complexities of identity and cultural conflict through its major characters. The protagonist, Martiniano, is a young American Indian man of Pueblo and Apache descent who struggles to reconcile his experiences in a government boarding school with his heritage upon returning to his pueblo. His alienation from both his community and the dominant white culture leads him to commit acts that further isolate him, including the symbolic killing of a deer, which he perceives as a catalyst for his misfortune.
His wife, Flowers Playing, embodies the connection to traditional ways and the emotional barriers that arise from Martiniano's guilt. As their relationship experiences turmoil, they ultimately find hope in the impending birth of their child. Palemon, Martiniano's loyal friend, provides critical support during his darkest moments, while Rodolfo Byers, a sympathetic white trader, offers practical assistance and a different perspective on the burdens each individual carries. Manuel Rena, the leader of a peyote cult, represents the allure of alternative spiritual paths for Martiniano, illustrating the contrasting views on faith and tradition within the context of their community. Together, these characters navigate the challenges of cultural heritage, personal redemption, and the impact of external societal pressures.
The Man Who Killed the Deer: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Frank Waters
First published: 1942
Genre: Novel
Locale: The Pueblo Indian Reservation, near Taos, New Mexico
Plot: Social realism
Time: The late 1930's, before the outbreak of World War II
Martiniano, a young American Indian, part Pueblo and part Apache, tall, broad-shouldered, strong, and capable. Forced, as a boy, to attend a U.S. government boarding school, he returns as a man to his pueblo (village). Spiritually lost, he finds comfort neither in the ways of the white man nor in those of the Indian. For his failure to conform to the Pueblo traditions, he is considered a rebel and is forced to live in a hut outside the compound. After he kills a deer on government land after the close of hunting season, he is fined and humiliated. This action seems to precipitate more and more acts that provoke punishment by the pueblo leadership. He struggles with the injustice of being punished by the pueblo for behavior that he was taught at the white man's school. He imagines that the deer he killed is still alive and is taunting him. He sees the deer as the symbol of his troubles. He becomes even more depressed when he discovers that his bride, Flowers Playing, seems to possess special powers over the wild deer that roam the area. He hopes that, by joining Manuel Rena's secret peyote cult, he will begin to develop a faith, but the cult is discovered and must be abandoned. With the birth of his son, he begins to find peace and to understand the beauty of the ways of his ancestors and of the necessity of being a part of their tradition, meanwhile acknowledging the inevitable encroachment of the modern world.
Flowers Playing, an American Indian woman, part Ute and part Arapahoe. She is first seen by Martiniano when she is among a group of visiting Plains Indian dancers. He is enchanted with her wild grace and her striking beauty. The two are married and have a good initial year together, though they are ostracized from the pueblo society. An emotional barrier develops between them as a result of Martiniano's sense of guilt and frustration, and he blames the deer that he has killed for having destroyed his wife's love for him. Gradually, as they look forward to the birth of their child, the couple's relationship is restored.
Palemon, the closest friend of Martiniano. Much like Martiniano in appearance, he is slightly older than his friend. One night, he responds to a mysterious inner summons that leads him into the mountains. There he finds Martiniano in a state of semiconsciousness, having been injured by the government agent who had discovered him hunting out of season. Palemon saves Martiniano's life and continues to be his only friend among the pueblo members, providing support and wise counsel whenever needed.
Rodolfo Byers, a white man who owns the trading post nearest the pueblo. When Martiniano is assessed a fine of $150 for killing a deer out of season, Byers quietly pays the fine. He also provides credit at his trading post so that Martiniano can purchase items necessary to grow corn on his small plot of land. Byers takes Martiniano and Flowers Playing on a buying trip for the trading post, during which he assures Martiniano that each man has some special burden, such as the deer that haunts Martiniano, and that the burden will pass.
Manuel Rena, the leader of the peyote cult. Rena is a member of the pueblo, but, unlike most, he is a rich man, having fertile land, good horses, and a large herd of sheep. A big, handsome man, he wears polished leather boots and the finest of blankets from Mexico. Rena convinces Martiniano that Father Peyote will give him strength and faith. Martiniano, seekinganalternativetotheIndianwaysandtothedomination of the mercenary Catholic priest, joins the cult.