The Medicine Bag – Summary & Analysis
Plot Summary
"The Medicine Bag" by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve tells the story of Martin, a fourteen-year-old boy of mixed heritage whose mother is Sioux and whose father is white. Martin and his younger sister Cheryl live with their parents in Iowa, far from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota where their great-grandfather, Joe Iron Shell, lives. Every summer, the children visit their grandpa on the reservation and listen to his stories. They enjoy his tales so much that they repeat them to their city friends, but they always hide his photographs. Martin does this because he knows his grandpa looks very different from the image he has created—he is an old man with wrinkled skin, worn clothes, and he does not match the exciting picture of Native American heritage that Martin has built in his friends' minds.
One hot July day, Martin gets a terrible shock. His grandpa suddenly appears at their house after traveling for two days by bus from South Dakota. Martin feels deeply embarrassed. His grandpa looks tired and weak. He wears old-fashioned clothes and a strange hat. Martin worries about what his friends will think and tries to keep his grandpa hidden from them. His younger sister Cheryl, however, welcomes their grandpa warmly with open arms.
As time passes, Martin's friends finally come to the house despite Martin's efforts to keep them away. To Martin's surprise, his grandpa charms them completely. The old man tells fascinating stories about Sioux culture and traditions. He is kind and wise, and the children listen carefully to every word he says. Martin's friends are no longer laughing or making fun. Instead, they show deep respect and admiration for the old man. Martin begins to feel proud of his grandpa and his heritage.
However, Martin still feels worried about one thing—his grandpa's medicine bag. This small leather pouch hangs around his grandpa's neck. Martin fears that eventually, his grandpa will give it to him, and his friends will think it is strange and dirty. He worries that accepting such a symbol of Native American tradition will make him seem odd or different from his other friends.
One evening, Grandpa Joe Iron Shell calls Martin into his room alone. He explains that he came to the city not only to visit his family but because he is growing very old and weak. He knows his time on earth is ending. According to Sioux tradition, before he dies, he must pass the medicine bag to Martin, the oldest male child in his family. Grandpa then tells Martin the complete history of the bag. He explains that his own father, also named Iron Shell, received a powerful vision when he was young. In this vision, Iron Shell saw that a piece of broken iron from a white man's kettle was a sign meant for him. This broken piece became the first item placed in the medicine bag.
The vision guided Iron Shell to become a blacksmith and to learn the ways of the white people so he could help his tribe survive in a changing world. Inside the medicine bag are three sacred items: the broken piece of iron from the kettle, a small stone from a sacred mountain called the butte, and dried sage, which is a sacred plant. Grandpa explains that these items represent protection, wisdom, and connection to their ancestors.
Grandpa also shares a sad story with Martin. He tells him about his own son, Martin's grandfather (mother's father), who died in a war. This grandfather did not have the medicine bag with him because he was afraid of losing it. Grandpa Joe feels that the bag's protection was needed but was not there. This story shows Martin how important the medicine bag truly is to his family.
Martin's attitude changes completely after hearing these stories. He realizes that his grandpa is not something to be ashamed of—he is a link to their family's history and strength. When his grandpa becomes ill and passes away, Martin travels to the reservation. Standing alone under the sky, he places new sage inside the medicine bag and wears it around his neck with pride. He finally understands that the medicine bag is not dirty or strange—it is a sacred treasure that connects him to his ancestors and his identity. Martin has grown from a boy embarrassed by his heritage into a young man who proudly carries his culture forward.
Publication
"The Medicine Bag" is included in PRISM: A Collection of ISC Short Stories, a prescribed text for ISC Class 12 English literature. This story is written by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, a respected Native American author born on February 21, 1933. Sneve grew up on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, which directly influenced her writing. She began her publishing career in 1972 with her first book, Jimmy Yellow Hawk, which won an award from the Interracial Council for Minority Books for Children.
Throughout her career, Sneve has published over twenty books, including fiction and non-fiction works. She worked as an English teacher and school counselor for forty years, which shaped her understanding of young people's needs. "The Medicine Bag" first appeared in the 1970s and has since become a popular educational text. It is now widely taught in schools and included in various literature collections because it effectively addresses themes of cultural identity and family heritage. In 2000, Sneve received the National Humanities Medal for her significant contributions to children's literature and for dispelling stereotypes about Native Americans.
Context
"The Medicine Bag" was written during a period when Native American literature was gaining recognition in American schools and publishing. Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve wrote this story to address the lack of realistic and respectful portrayals of Native American life in children's literature. During the 1970s and beyond, most books about Native Americans presented stereotypical images or focused only on historical, pre-modern times. Sneve wanted to show contemporary Native American families living in modern times while maintaining their cultural traditions.
The story reflects real experiences of Native Americans, especially those living between two worlds—the traditional reservation life and modern American urban society. The tension between Martin and his great-grandfather represents the actual challenges faced by many Native American families. Children of mixed heritage often felt pulled between their family's traditions and the desire to fit into mainstream American society. Through this story, Sneve brought attention to these genuine struggles. The text became important educational material because it allowed students to understand Native American perspectives and experiences from an insider's viewpoint rather than through stereotypes or historical generalizations.
Setting
The story takes place in two main locations: Iowa and South Dakota. Iowa represents the modern, urban world where Martin and his family live. This setting shows suburban American life with city streets, neighborhoods, and contemporary lifestyle. It is a place where Martin tries to hide his Native American heritage to fit in with his friends. The atmosphere here is comfortable but also shallow—focused on appearances and fitting in.
South Dakota, specifically the Rosebud Reservation, represents the traditional Native American world. This is where Martin's great-grandfather lives, deeply connected to Sioux culture, traditions, and the natural landscape. The reservation is a place of spiritual meaning and ancestral connection.
Time period: The story appears to be set in the 1970s, during summer vacation when children are out of school. The hot July weather creates a sense of urgency and makes Martin's grandpa's sudden arrival more shocking and visible to the neighborhood.
Both settings represent different worlds that Martin must learn to bridge. The contrast between Iowa's modernity and the reservation's traditionalism shows Martin's internal conflict and his journey toward accepting both parts of his identity.
Title
The title "The Medicine Bag" is both simple and deeply meaningful. On the surface, it refers to the small leather pouch that Martin's great-grandfather carries and eventually passes to Martin. This bag contains sacred items that hold spiritual power and protection in Sioux culture.
The title has deeper significance because the medicine bag represents much more than a physical object. It symbolizes the entire weight of family responsibility, cultural heritage, and ancestral tradition. Throughout the story, Martin's feelings about the bag change from shame and embarrassment to pride and respect. His journey with the medicine bag mirrors his personal growth.
The title is effective because it immediately tells readers that this story concerns Native American culture and traditions. It promises a story about something important and different from typical American fiction. The medicine bag becomes a symbol connecting past to present, great-grandfather to great-grandson, tradition to modernity, and the reservation to the city. By using this title, Sneve draws attention to the value of cultural heritage and the importance of passing down traditions between generations. The simple title contains layers of meaning that unfold as readers move through the narrative.
Narrative and Language
Point of View: "The Medicine Bag" is told in first-person narrative from Martin's perspective. Readers experience the entire story through Martin's eyes, emotions, and thoughts. This choice is powerful because it allows readers to feel Martin's embarrassment and confusion, then gradually understand his change of heart. Readers cannot know what Grandpa is truly thinking or feeling until Grandpa chooses to share. This creates suspense and emotional connection.
Tone: The narrative voice is honest, reflective, and emotional. Martin speaks directly to readers as if sharing a personal memory that changed him forever. His tone shifts from embarrassment and shame to understanding and pride. This emotional journey makes the story relatable to young readers.
Language: Sneve uses simple, clear language that is easy to understand. She avoids complicated vocabulary or long, confusing sentences. Descriptions are concrete and specific. For example, instead of saying "grandpa looked old," Martin says he wore "a baggy suit" and "a strange hat." This vivid, specific language helps readers visualize scenes clearly.
Dialogue: Characters speak naturally and authentically. Grandpa's stories are told with dignity and spiritual weight, while friends' comments show teenage attitudes. The dialogue reveals character personality and cultural differences without being preachy.
Imagery: Sneve uses sensory details—sounds of barking dogs, the appearance of worn clothes, the feeling of shame—to engage readers emotionally in Martin's experience.
Themes
Theme 1: Cultural Identity and Pride
The most important theme of "The Medicine Bag" is the journey toward accepting and celebrating one's cultural identity. Martin begins the story ashamed of his Native American heritage. He tells exaggerated stories about his great-grandfather to impress friends but hides his photograph. Martin wants to be like his white friends and fears being seen as different or strange. However, through his grandpa's visit and stories, Martin learns that his heritage is something valuable and beautiful, not something shameful. By the end, he proudly wears the medicine bag. This theme teaches readers that cultural identity is precious and should be honored. It is not something to hide or feel embarrassed about. Young people of mixed or minority backgrounds often face pressure to fit in, but this story shows that embracing your true identity is more important than fitting in with others.
Theme 2: Generational Connection and Family Legacy
Another major theme is the connection between generations and the importance of passing down family traditions. Grandpa Joe travels from South Dakota to Iowa specifically to give Martin the medicine bag before he dies. This act shows that family legacy is so important that he undertakes a difficult journey despite his age and weakness. The bag represents knowledge, wisdom, and protection that has passed through many family members. Through the bag's history, Martin learns about his ancestors and understands that he is part of a long chain of family members stretching backward into the past and forward into the future. The story emphasizes that young people have a responsibility to learn from elders and to carry forward family traditions. Grandpa's death is sad, but his legacy lives on through Martin and the medicine bag he now carries.
Symbols
Symbol 1: The Medicine Bag
The medicine bag is the most important symbol in the story. On the surface, it is a small leather pouch containing three items: a piece of broken iron, a stone from a sacred mountain, and sage. However, the bag represents much more than these physical objects. It symbolizes family history, ancestral protection, cultural pride, and spiritual connection. For Martin's great-grandfather, the bag is a sacred trust passed down through generations. It represents the strength and wisdom of his ancestors and their ability to survive and adapt to changing times. For Martin, the bag transforms from a source of shame into a symbol of belonging and identity. By the end of the story, wearing the medicine bag means that Martin has accepted his heritage and his responsibility to carry his family's legacy forward. The bag represents how cultural traditions connect us to our past and give meaning to our lives.
Symbol 2: Iron Shell's Vision and the Broken Iron Kettle
The broken piece of iron from the white man's kettle inside the medicine bag symbolizes the blending of cultures and the survival of Native American people in a changing world. When Grandpa's father, Iron Shell, received a vision on the sacred mountain, he saw this piece of iron as a sign. Instead of seeing it as something foreign or threatening, he recognized it as guidance. The broken iron led him to become a blacksmith and learn white man's skills and technology. This symbolizes how Native Americans could adapt to new circumstances without losing their identity or spiritual beliefs. The iron piece shows that strength can come from understanding and adapting to the world, not from refusing to change. It represents the message that cultural identity does not mean rejecting everything new or different, but rather choosing what to keep and what to learn while remaining true to core values.
Conclusion
"The Medicine Bag" by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve is a powerful and moving story about the importance of cultural heritage, family connection, and personal growth. Through Martin's journey from shame to pride, Sneve teaches readers about the real experiences of Native American families living in contemporary America. The story shows that being part of two cultures is not a weakness but an opportunity to create a rich and meaningful identity. Martin's initial embarrassment about his great-grandfather is something many young readers can relate to. Perhaps they have felt uncomfortable about their family's traditions or beliefs when around their peers. Sneve's story validates these feelings while showing that understanding and wisdom can transform shame into respect.
The medicine bag itself teaches us that small, simple things can carry enormous meaning and importance. Objects can connect us to our history, our family, and our identity. Grandpa's long and difficult journey to pass the bag to Martin shows that some things are so important that they are worth great effort and sacrifice.
By the end of the story, readers understand that rejecting your heritage to fit in is far less satisfying than accepting who you truly are. Martin's final image—standing alone on the reservation with the medicine bag around his neck—shows a young man at peace with his identity. This story remains relevant and meaningful because questions about identity, belonging, and cultural pride continue to matter for young people everywhere. "The Medicine Bag" reminds us that heritage is precious and deserves to be honored and preserved.