Turtle Meat

Story

“Turtle Meat” by Joseph Bruchac is about a man named Homer LaWare who has lived on a farm with a
woman named Amalia Wind for almost 50 years. Decades ago, Homer and Amalia lived a beautiful life
together but now things have taken a turn for the worse. Amalia can no longer take care of herself and
Homer is unable to provide her with all of the care that she needs. Homer goes on a fishing trip and
struggles with, then kills a turtle. After this eventful trip he returns home to the farm to find that Amalia is
missing. Her daughter breaks the news that she had gone to a home. Homer’s once beautiful life has fallen
apart.
Theme Throughout the Story

Theme Statement:

In “Turtle Meat”, Joseph Bruchac uses a turtle to represent both of the main
characters in order to convey the idea that they are holding on to something
that is coming to an unavoidable end.
Cultural Background + Author Background

Joseph Bruchac is of Abenaki descent, he currently lives in New York. The

Abenaki was a union of tribes. They lived in Maine, New Hampshire, Northern
Massachusetts and Canada. Abenaki were very religious. They valued Earth and
the natural world. They believed that it had always existed. Abenaki also believed
that a being called “The Owner” created everything and everything had an
individual spirit. This tribe set up villages near rivers. They were farmers and
hunters but they were primarily fishermen.
Essential Questions

● What roles do nature, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and the natural world play in Native
American literature?
○ The idea that humans and the natural world should live in harmony is often emphasized in
Native American literature. When humans work against nature it often leads to the characters
facing negative consequences. In “Turtle Meat” Homer kills a turtle, by doing this he is
destroying a part of the natural world. After this Homer’s life completely falls apart. He loses
Amalia and the life they once shared. Nature also plays the role of symbolism in Native
American literature. Turtles symbolize healing and wisdom in native American culture. When
Homer kills the turtle he is killing any chance he has at healing his life with Amalia. It is now
doomed. Another way that the turtle is a symbol in “Turtle Meat” is that it the represents the
two main characters and their desire to hold on to the life they once had. The turtle is
ultimately killed which symbolizes the end of this life.
Essential Questions
How does the concept of identity, including individual, communal, and cultural identity, manifest in Native American
literature? How do Native American authors navigate the complexities of cultural identity in their works?

Native American authors use the feelings and experiences of their characters to demonstrate the concept
of identity. Native American literature addresses issues such as generational trauma, assimilated culture
vs. Native American culture and assumed identities. Native American authors navigate the complexities of
cultural identity by highlighting how issues such as these impact the characters in their stories. For
example, in “The Soft-Hearted Sioux” by Zitkala-Sa the main character returnes to his father’s home after
being assimilated into white culture. The difference of beliefs and values between he and his father leads
to a disconnect between them. This story is an example of the complexities of one’s identity as a Native
American who has been assimilated. It demonstrates how cultural identity changes as a result of
assimilation. Generational trauma and assumed identity are also addressed in Native American literature.
In “Turtle Meat” Homer identifies himself with his generational trauma when he says “It’s the Indian in me”,
meaning that it is because he is Native American that he accepts less for himself. This assumed identity
demonstrates that Homer has little self worth as a result of generational trauma. This impacts his individual
identity.
Essential Questions
● What is the role of historical trauma and the legacy of colonization in shaping the themes and perspectives presented
in contemporary Native American literature?

Native American authors used historical trauma and the legacy of colonization to develop complex
characters. Characters often identify themselves with the hardships that Native Americans have
faced. This is demonstrated in “Turtle Meat” when Homer repeatedly states “It’s the Indian in me” as
an explanation for why he would accept less for himself. Homer based his self worth on the fact that
he was Native American. Bruchac uses Homer’s assumed identity to convey the idea that
generational trauma impacts Native Americans’ feelings of self worth.
Characters: Homer LaWare
Homer LaWare is a man who cared about the life that he once had and wanted to protect it. Because of his
assumed identity as a Native American he came to expect and accept less for himself.

● “He didn’t want to leave her alone, but he didn’t want to tell her that”

Homer wanted to take care of Amalia, even though he could not provide her with all of the care that she needed. Instead of
bringing her somewhere that could take care of her he held on the life that they once had.

● “I’m not asking for any property, Amalia. It’s the Indian in me that don’t want to own no land”

Homer had little self worth because of the generational trauma he faced as a Native American. Homer’s life was impacted by the
choices and sacrifices he made because of his assumed identity.
Character: Amalia Wind
Amalia is stubborn and uses humor even in times of difficulty. She does not want to
face the fact that she is aging and needs more help than Homer can provide her
with.
● “Old Man, you just get out and do what you were doing. A woman has to have her
privacy. Get now”
Amalia does not want to be reliant on Homer. She is stubborn and wants to take
care of herself for as long as she can.
● “Just don’t know how it happened Homer. I ain’t so old as that, am I, Old Man?”
Amalia is in denial and does not want to face the fact that she is aging and needs to
give up the life she once had.
Conflict
There is a Man v. Nature conflict between Homer and the turtle. During this
conflict the turtle holds on to Homer’s sleeve and then is eventually killed. The
turtle holding on to Homer’s sleeve is symbolic of Homer holding on to the life
he once had with Amalia. The turtle’s death represents the end of the life he
and Amalia shared.
Significant Symbolism

● In Native American culture turtles represent healing, wisdom and health. After
killing the turtle Homer’s life falls apart. In a literal sense the turtle represents
the decline of Amalia’s health. It also represents Homer’s chance of healing
and repairing the life he once had. Once Homer kills the turtle the life he has
lived for nearly fifty years dies with it. This is confirmed when Amalia leaves.
● In Native American culture water symbolizes life and death, creation and
destruction. When Homer enters the water to go fishing both he and the turtle
are facing an imminent demise. The destruction of Homer’s life comes shortly
after he kills the turtle.
Final Thoughts
Turtle meat by Joseph Bruchac is a story that uses symbolism to depict the
unavoidable end to Homer’s once beautiful life. Even though, like the turtle, Homer
holds on, it is inescapable that things cannot remain the same forever. With the
demise of the turtle comes the demise of Homer’s life with Amalia.
Works Cited!

“Joseph Bruchac.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/joseph-bruchac. Accessed 14 Feb. 2024.

“Native American Animals: The Turtle (Keya) Symbolizes Grandmother Earth (Unci Maka).” Native Hope Blog, Native Hope, 22 May 2023,
blog.nativehope.org/native-american-animals-turtle-k%C3%A9ya#:~:text=To%20most%20tribes%2C%20the%20turtle,mud%20to%20create%20Mother%2
0Earth.

Sacredheart, digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1054&context=wcob_fac. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

.“." U*x*l Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes. . Encyclopedia.Com. 7 Feb. 2024 .” Encyclopedia.Com, Encyclopedia.com, 16 Feb. 2024,
www.encyclopedia.com/history/united-states-and-canada/north-american-indigenous-peoples/abnaki#:~:text=The%20Abenaki%20were%20a%20deeply,thi
ng%20had%20an%20individual%20spirit.