MODULE 2: BUFFALO WOMAN

1. Bibliography
Goble, Paul. 1984. BUFFALO WOMAN. Ill. by Paul Goble. New York, NY: Bradbury Press. ISBN 0027377202

2. Plot Summary
One morning, a young hunter who is gifted in his hunting skills and who is respected by the Buffalo Nation comes to a stream to drink. As he sits, he meets a beautiful woman who is a gift from the Buffalo Nation. They marry and have a son. His family is not kind to the woman because she has no visible family heritage. One day when the young man is hunting, his family’s cruelty drives the young woman and her son away. The young hunter loves his wife and son and is committed to get them back. He follows their trail. He is reunited with them twice only to be disappointed in the morning when he discovers his wife has left once again. As he follows the trail the footprints turn to hoofprints, and he realizes his wife and son have returned to the Buffalo Nation. The young man finds the Buffalo herd and learns he will be tested to prove his love for his family. He must choose which cow and calf are his wife and son out of the entire herd. His son provides him crucial hints that assist the young man in passing the test and in proving his love to the Buffalo nation chief. The young man is transformed into a buffalo bull and is reunited with his family.

3. Critical Analysis
The title page of the book begins with background for the story of Buffalo Woman. This information explains the role of the buffalo in tribal life and the reason such a tale is necessary. This background knowledge makes it easier for the reader to step into the tale and feel knowledgeable already. Paul Goble could focus on telling the tale rather than explaining before the tale.
The illustrations for this book provide details and further explain the folktale. They are colorful and interesting. One interesting feature of the illustrations is the amount of detail that certain aspects are given or that is omitted. For example, the faces of the human characters lack detail. There is one small black line for an eye. All human faces are shown as a profile so one can see the nose and mouth indentations, but there are no markings on the faces for these features. In contrast the animals and natural aspects of the book show remarkable detail. Mr. Goble’s drawings for the Algonquin apparel, for the tipi, and for the field and meadow are incredibly intricate. The wings of the butterflies are individually designed. The buffalo in the Buffalo Nation have human eyes. This accentuates the beauty and amazing features found in the natural world and the dull, sameness seen in the human world.
This tale is a wonderful example of a folktale. First, it has obvious magical elements. The young hunter’s wife is a buffalo cow who has been transformed as a gift to this hunter from the Buffalo Nation. It is not directly stated that the woman is a buffalo but the illustrations and text lead the reader to that conclusion. By the end of the tale, that is the only reasonable explanation.
The characters are one-dimensional. The hunter, Buffalo Woman, and Calf Boy are good characters. Their actions stem from love and a family bond. The hunter’s family is cruel. Their harsh words sent Buffalo Woman and Calf Boy back to the Buffalo Nation. The family is not shown apologizing or feeling remorse. Their actions occurred and produced an action. The family lost the young hunter to the Buffalo Nation.
The plot of the books is simplistic. The motivations of the characters are straightforward. There is no “behind-the-scenes” type of actions that would need to be explained to a younger reader. There is no irony or mystery. During the test by the Buffalo Nation chief, there is no plot twist that is commonplace in current stories. Buffalo Woman and Calf Boy are marked just as predicted, and the young hunter is saved from a certain death.
The setting is established within the first three pages of the book. Paul Goble uses the illustrations, not text, for this purpose. The second page contains no text simply an illustration. This reveals the setting as well as the mindset of the young hunter. He is showing his respect for nature.
The resolution is one of contentment. The hunter is changed into a buffalo bull and is reunited with his family. However, it is not a realistic ending. No one has been transformed into a buffalo while wearing a buffalo skin and being nearly trampled by a herd of buffalo. The young hunter did not have any magical tendencies before this. The power from the Buffalo Nation reconfigured his form. One has to believe in the power of love and nature to accept this conclusion.
The last paragraph of text provides an explanation about the importance of this story. This is not just a love story but rather an explanation regarding the bond between man and the buffalo. It is interesting that the particular tribe the young hunter is a member of is not discussed. This tale shows a relationship for all mankind and buffalo, not just one particular tribe. The sacrifice of the young hunter’s life for Buffalo Woman is paralleled to the sacrifice of the buffalo’s life for mankind. The last words explain it all Mitakuye oyasin—we are all related.


4. Review Excerpts
A starred review from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “In text and illustrations, Goble’s story exhibits a quiet simplicity, respect for nature and the power of love.”

ALA Notable Children's Book
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Booklist Editors' Choice
The Horn Book Fanfare List

5. Connections
Informational site about the American Buffalo; it contains information and teacher’s guides; it also has a comprehensive resource list to further research.
NATURE: American Buffalo - Resources


Other books by Paul Goble:
THE GIFT OF THE SACRED DOG
THE GIRL WHO LOVED WILD HORSES
STAR BOY
THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN
THE FRIENDLY WOLF