by Character Sketch of Martin – The Protagonist and Narrator of The Medicine Bag
Martin is the central character and narrator of the story. A fourteen-year-old boy of mixed heritage, he stands at the crossroads of two worlds—modern American city life and his Lakota Sioux ancestry. His emotional journey from embarrassment to pride forms the heart of the story.
1. 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 Reservation where his great-grandfather resides.
Although he speaks proudly about his Sioux heritage to his city friends, his connection to it is mostly superficial at the beginning. His understanding of his culture comes more from imagination and exaggeration than real experience.
2. Inner Conflict and Embarrassment
Martin’s biggest struggle is internal.
He enjoys telling dramatic stories about his “authentic” Sioux background, but he fears that the reality will not match the image he has created. When Grandpa Joe Iron Shell unexpectedly arrives, Martin feels ashamed of his grandfather’s old clothes, simple appearance, and traditional ways.
He is especially embarrassed when:
- Neighbours stare at Grandpa.
- Dogs bark as Grandpa walks down the street.
- Grandpa greets him in the Sioux language.
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.
3. A Dynamic Character
Martin is not a static character; he changes significantly during the story.
At first, he judges his grandfather based on appearance. However, as he observes how others respond to Grandpa—with curiosity, respect, and admiration—his perspective begins to shift.
When his friends show genuine interest in Grandpa’s stories, Martin realises that he was ashamed without reason. This turning point marks the beginning of his emotional growth.
4. Growth and Maturity
Martin’s maturity is clearly seen in the private scene where Grandpa passes the medicine bag to him.
He listens carefully to the history of the bag and understands its sacred importance. Even though he initially fears how others might react to the old leather pouch, he accepts the responsibility given to him.
By the end of the story, when he stands alone on 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.
5. Sense of Responsibility
The medicine bag symbolizes 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.
6. Symbolic Significance
Martin represents modern youth who struggle between contemporary life and ancestral roots.
He reflects:
- The generation gap between elders and teenagers.
- The conflict between cultural pride and social acceptance.
- The journey from insecurity to self-acceptance.
Through Martin, the story teaches that true identity comes from embracing one’s heritage rather than hiding it.
Conclusion
Martin begins as a confused and embarrassed teenager but grows into a proud and responsible young man. His transformation from shame to pride makes him a relatable and realistic character. By the end of the story, he fully accepts his cultural heritage and understands that traditions are not burdens—they are strengths that must be preserved and passed on.
Character Sketch of Grandpa Joe Iron Shell – The Moral and Spiritual Anchor of The Medicine Bag
Grandpa Joe Iron Shell is the great-grandfather of Martin and the strongest symbol of tradition in the story. At eighty-six years old, he belongs to the Lakota Sioux community and lives on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Though physically weak, his character reflects immense inner strength, dignity, and wisdom.
1. Background and Identity
Grandpa Joe is a pure Lakota Sioux and deeply rooted in his culture. Unlike Martin, who lives in a modern city environment, Grandpa remains closely connected to his ancestral land and traditions.
His simple clothes, traditional manner of greeting, and strong respect for customs show that he carries his heritage proudly, without shame or hesitation.
2. Moral Strength and Determination
Despite his old age and poor health, Grandpa undertakes a long and tiring bus journey alone. This journey is not for comfort or leisure—it is driven by responsibility.
He knows his time is limited.
He understands that the sacred medicine bag must be passed on properly.
His determination to complete this duty, even at the cost of his health, shows his deep sense of commitment toward family tradition.
3. Spiritual Wisdom
Grandpa is not only an elder by age but also by wisdom. He speaks calmly, tells meaningful stories, and carries himself with dignity.
When he explains the history of the medicine bag—its origin from a vision, the iron piece, the sacred stone, and the sage—he reveals his strong spiritual belief system.
For him, the medicine bag is not an object.
It is protection, identity, and sacred responsibility.
4. Sensitivity and Understanding
Although Grandpa follows traditional Lakota customs strictly, he is not rigid or harsh.
He notices Martin’s embarrassment but does not confront him. Instead, he waits patiently for the right time to pass on the medicine bag. He understands that maturity cannot be forced—it must grow naturally.
This shows his emotional intelligence and deep understanding of human nature.
5. Guardian of Tradition
Grandpa insists that the passing of the medicine bag be private because it is a sacred ceremony meant only for a man’s ears. This highlights his strong respect for tradition.
He also instructs Martin:
- Never to open the bag unnecessarily.
- To protect it.
- To add prairie sage when returning to the reservation.
- To pass it on to his own son one day.
Through these instructions, Grandpa ensures that the family’s cultural chain remains unbroken.
6. Symbolic Significance
Grandpa Joe Iron Shell symbolizes:
- Cultural continuity
- Respect for ancestors
- The strength of identity
- The bridge between past and present
He represents the living connection to history. Without him, Martin’s heritage would remain just stories. Through him, tradition becomes real and meaningful.
Conclusion
Grandpa Joe Iron Shell is the moral center of The Medicine Bag. Though physically fragile, he is spiritually powerful. His wisdom, patience, and sense of responsibility shape Martin’s transformation.
He stands as a reminder that true strength lies not in youth or modernity, but in preserving and passing forward the values of one’s ancestors.
Character Sketch of Cheryl – The Innocent Voice of Pride in The Medicine Bag
Cheryl, Martin’s younger sister, may not be the central character, but she plays an important role in the story. Through her simple and fearless attitude, she highlights Martin’s internal struggle. She acts as a contrast to her brother and helps the reader understand how unnecessary his embarrassment really is.
1. Background and Personality
Cheryl is younger than Martin and shares the same mixed heritage. However, unlike Martin, she does not feel confused about her identity.
She is cheerful, confident, and emotionally open. Her reactions are natural and honest, without overthinking what others might say.
2. Uncomplicated Pride in Her Heritage
When Grandpa arrives, Cheryl does not feel ashamed. Instead, she welcomes him warmly and proudly.
She:
- Greets him happily.
- Shows genuine excitement.
- Wants her friends to meet him.
- Listens to his stories with interest.
She does not worry about how he looks or what others might think. For her, Grandpa is special because he is family—not because he fits a “perfect” image.
3. A Foil to Martin
Cheryl acts as a foil to Martin. A foil is a character who highlights another character’s traits through contrast.
Where Martin feels embarrassment, Cheryl feels pride.
Where Martin worries about peer pressure, Cheryl remains confident.
Where Martin hides reality, Cheryl embraces it.
Through this contrast, the author clearly shows that Martin’s shame comes from social pressure, not from anything wrong with Grandpa or their culture.
4. Free from Social Anxiety
Cheryl is still young and not deeply influenced by society’s stereotypes. She does not care about fitting in or maintaining an image.
Her innocence protects her from the insecurity that troubles Martin. This suggests that feelings of shame often develop as people grow older and become more conscious of social approval.
5. Thematic Importance
Cheryl’s character reinforces one of the main themes of the story—cultural pride is natural.
It only becomes a source of shame when people:
- Compare themselves to societal expectations.
- Fear being judged.
- Value appearance over identity.
Through Cheryl, the story suggests that pride in one’s heritage is simple and pure—until external pressures complicate it.
Conclusion
Though Cheryl has a smaller role in the story, she plays a powerful one. Her uncomplicated pride and genuine affection for Grandpa expose the unnecessary nature of Martin’s embarrassment.
She reminds readers that cultural identity should be embraced openly and joyfully, without fear of judgment.
