Character Sketch of Grandpa and Martin :”The Medicine Bag”
1. Character Sketch of Grandpa:
Grandpa, Joe Iron Shell, is the eighty six years old great grandfather belonging to the Sioux tribe of Native Americans and thus a representative of tradition in the modern city setting.
Physically, Grandpa defies the cinematic stereotype of a Native American. He is not tall and stately, rather, he is old and frail, with stringy grey hair that hangs from under his ever present black hat. His clothing like his bright red satin shirt and beaded bolo tie, reflects his heritage.
His physical frailty resulting from age and illness contrasts dramatically with his spiritual strength and unwavering commitment to his beliefs. This contrast itself teaches Martin that true strength doesn’t reside in physical power but in moral conviction and cultural commitment.
Grandpa is deeply affectionate and loving towards his family. He always prepared handcrafted gifts for his great grandchildren, Martin and Cheryl.
Grandpa feels lonely and wanted to be with his only descendants before he dies so he comes a long way from Dakota to Iowa.
His arduous two and a half day long bus journey to Iowa which he undertook also to pass on the medicine bag before he dies, presents him as a determined and resolute person. He was not deterred by the distance or his own failing health.
Grandpa maintains his formal Sioux greetings and is clearly not ashamed but proud of his clothing even in an unfamiliar urban setting.
Grandpa is a considerate and realistic man, he offers the money he saved for his funeral to his grand daughter so as not to be a burden on them.
Grandpa is so perceptive and understanding. He immediately senses Martin’s embarrassment and discomfort. When Martin’s friends come to visit, he intuits the situation and dresses in his finest traditional clothing to present a dignified image, helping to turn a moment of potential shame into one of pride for Martin.
Grandpa demonstrate extraordinary patience and wisdom. Rather than condemning Martin’s embarrassment, he observes and waits, understanding that genuine transformation can not be forced. He explains the medicine bag through story – telling rather than lectures, recognising that narrative engages the heart as well as the mind.
Grandpa’s initial doubt about Martin’s readiness reflects deep understanding of what the medicine bag truly requires. The medicine bag is not merely a property that can be inherited through genetics or age, but its a sacred responsibility demanding respect and commitment. Grandpa witnesses Martin’s shame and correctly perceives that someone embarrassed by his heritage is not yet prepared for this responsibility. This standard – setting makes Grandpa an effective teacher.
Grandpa always acts with dignity and seems to have an innate sense of time. He understands the proper time at which certain events should take place. He prepares Martin to embrace and appreciate his own culture and heritage.
Grandpa’s final purpose is to fulfill the sacred duty of passing the medicine bag and its history to Martin, his only male heir, ensuring that his family’s culture and legacy will continue.
Grandpa is a moral and spiritual centre of the story. He is a symbol of strength, cultural pride and unwavering spiritual connection.
2. Character Sketch of Martin:
Martin is the central character and the narrator of the story. A fourteen years old boy of mixed heritage who struggles between his modern urban life and his Native American roots. His emotional journey from embarrassment to pride forms the heart of the story.
Background and identity :
Martin is half Lakota Sioux through his mother and half white through his father. He lives in Iowa, far from the Rosebud Reservations where Grandpa resides.
Although he talks so much about his Sioux heritage to his friends, his connection to it is merely superficial at the beginning. His understanding of his culture comes more from imagination and exaggeration than real experience.
Inner Conflict and Embarrassment:
Initially Martin is highly susceptible to peer pressure and eager to blend in with his white suburban friends. He creates a glorious image of his Grandpa and the place he belongs to in front of his friends. He hides photos of his Grandpa, Joe Iron Shell, as he fears that the reality will not match the image he has created.
But the main conflict arises when Grandpa unexpectedly arrives, Martin feels ashamed of his Grandpa’s old clothes, simple appearance and traditional ways.
He is especially embarrassed when “little kids yelling, with dogs yipping and growling around” him.
He wanted to “sink right through the pavement” when Grandpa greets him in Sioux language.
All his reactions proves him to be an insecure and embarrassed teenager boy.
Martin worries that his friends will laugh at him. This shows his insecurity and his desire to fit into modern society rather than stand out because of his heritage.
Dynamic Character :
Martin is not a static character, he changes significantly during the story.
At first, he judges Grandpa on the basis of his appearance and his simplicity. But when he observes his friends responding Grandpa with respect, curiosity and admiration his perspective begins to shift.
When his friends shows genuine interest in Grandpa’s stories, Martin realises that he was ashamed without any reason. This turning point marks the beginning of his emotional growth.
Maturation and Acceptance:
The turning point in Martin’s character occurs when he begins to listen to Grandpa’s stories. Even though he initially fears and experiences disgust at the thought of becoming the heir to the “dirty leather bag”, his Grandpa had been carrying around his neck for years because it represents a new identity for him, rooted in tradition and nativity.
However, one to one interaction with his Grandpa and the subsequent knowledge of the great mystical power of the medicine bag assures him to undergo a change of heart and accept his connection and responsibility towards his mixed heritage.
By the end of the story, when he stands alone in the reservation and adds a piece of sage to the medicine bag, Martin has fully transformed. He no longer feels embarrassment – only pride and responsibility.
Responsible and Proud:
When Grandpa Joe passes away and gives Martin the sacred medicine bag, Martin accepts this duty with profound maturity.
The medicine bag symbolises tradition, protection and family history. When Martin accepts it, he accepts more than an object – he accepts his role as a link between past and future.
He understands that one day he must pass it on to his own son. This awareness shows emotional growth and a deeper respect for his ancestry. Placing fresh sage in the leather pouch indicates his embracing of his dual heritage with respect, dignity and pride.