| Linda Hogan (1947-) is a creative contemporary Chickasaw female novelist, poet and essayist. Her works are well-known for their representations of Native American oral tradition, myths and points of view. Hogan’s writings provide new perspectives for solving racial, gender and environmental conflicts, brings a sparkling Native American intelligence.Power, published in1998, is one of Hogan’s most important novels. By employing theories of humanistic geography, especially place theories, I plan to explore the multiple place-identity interrelationships in this book. On the one hand, place can be seen as the representation of identity. Different places signify different identities. On the other hand, while one is experiencing place, place will interact with individuals to influence and shape one’s identity. Through analyzing Native American women’s place-identity interrelations revealed in this novel, I suggest that identifying with a place enables Native Americans’ to gain a sense of place which is of vital importance in helping them to reach an authentic identity.This M.A. thesis consists of three chapters, the introduction and conclusion. The introduction gives a brief review of Linda Hogan’s writings, particularly her novel Power and an introduction of place theories. Chapter one analyzes how Native Americans, by choosing different home places, reveal their different identifications. It also suggests that a sense of placelessness indicates an identity crisis. The second chapter explores Ama Eaton’s illusional self-realization through place experience on native reservation land, suggesting the importance of environmental unconsciousness to the shaping of one’s identity. By presenting Omishto’s understanding and evaluating of her relationship with three symbolic places-the white American court, Kili Swamp and Ama’s place, chapter three discusses Omishto’s gradual formation of her identity through finding a sense of place. Finally, I am going to draw the conclusion that one is able to achieve an authentic identification through identifying with a place which is able to bring one a sense of place. |
