Wandering Stars Summary, Characters and Themes

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange, is an exploration of generational trauma, cultural identity, and the enduring spirit of Indigenous people. 

Tommy Orange, a member of the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes, brings a eclectic mix of interconnected lives across centuries, from the brutal realities of the 19th-century boarding schools to the contemporary struggles of a family in Oakland. Through the lens of art, the novel delves into the ways in which history’s wounds can be both inherited and healed.

Summary

The narrative begins in the late 1800s, during the era of Indigenous boarding schools. Jude Star, a survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre, is sent to Fort Marion, a prison-like institution. 

His son, Charles, later experiences similar horrors at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Despite these traumatic experiences, Charles finds solace in writing, leaving behind a legacy that echoes through generations.

Fast forward to the present day, where Charles’s descendants navigate the complexities of modern life while grappling with the ghosts of their past. Opal, a strong-willed woman, adopts her nephews after their mother’s tragic death. 

Her children, Orvil, Loother, and Lony, each struggle with the weight of their family’s history in their own unique ways.

Orvil, scarred by the violence he witnessed at a powwow, turns to substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Loother, filled with anger and frustration, finds solace in writing. Lony, the youngest, grapples with his own demons through self-harm and ritual.

As the family navigates the challenges of their lives, they slowly begin to unravel the secrets of their past. Opal discovers a box of her mother’s belongings, containing her father’s writings. 

Through these writings, she learns the truth about their family’s history and the sacrifices made by their ancestors.

The family’s journey takes them to Alcatraz Island, a symbol of Indigenous resistance. Here, Lony confronts his own demons and the weight of his family’s history. Orvil, after nearly succumbing to his addiction, finally finds sobriety and returns to his family.

The novel concludes with a hopeful note as Lony, after a long absence, returns home, ready to share his experiences and connect with his family. 

Through their struggles and triumphs, the characters in Wandering Stars offer a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures.

Characters

Jude Star

Jude Star’s character serves as a vital link between the historical atrocities committed against Indigenous people and the ongoing impact of these events on later generations. 

His survival of the Sand Creek Massacre and subsequent imprisonment at Fort Marion by Richard Henry Pratt situates him as a symbol of resilience and suffering. 

The trauma of these experiences leads Jude into substance use disorder, reflecting the broader theme of self-medication among Indigenous people as a means of coping with intergenerational trauma. 

Despite his struggles, Jude’s love for his family and his commitment to his culture are evident when he risks his life to save his friend, Victor Bear Shield, after Indigenous ceremonies are outlawed. 

Jude’s life is a testament to the harsh realities faced by Indigenous people during this period, as well as their enduring spirit and connection to their cultural roots.

Charles Star

Charles, Jude’s son, represents the second generation of Indigenous Americans grappling with the legacy of their ancestors’ suffering. Sent to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Charles endures horrific abuse, mirroring the historical experiences of many Indigenous children in such institutions. 

His substance use disorder with laudanum or opium highlights the ongoing cycle of addiction and trauma passed down through generations. Charles’s attempt to build a life in Oakland, coupled with his writing endeavors, symbolizes his struggle to reclaim his identity and voice amid oppressive circumstances. 

His tragic death while attempting to provide for his family underscores the often-desperate choices faced by those living on the margins. The writings he leaves behind become a crucial element of the narrative, representing the stories and histories that must be preserved and passed down, despite the cost.

Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield

Opal, Charles’s daughter, emerges as a custodian of her family’s legacy. Orphaned at birth and raised by the Havens, a white family, Opal grows up with limited knowledge of her heritage. However, the box of her father’s writings that she inherits becomes a conduit for her connection to her past. 

Opal’s journey reflects the struggles of many Indigenous people who have been disconnected from their culture and are striving to reclaim their identity. Her realization that survival depends on creating and telling stories is a profound moment in the novel, as it highlights the power of narrative in healing and preserving culture. 

Opal’s role as the matriarch of her family, particularly in her relationship with her adopted grandsons, positions her as a figure of strength and continuity, dedicated to ensuring that her family does not forget where they come from.

Jacquie Red Feather

Jacquie, Opal’s sister, and mother to Orvil, Loother, and Lony, embodies the struggles of Indigenous women who navigate the challenges of motherhood, identity, and addiction. Her life is marked by the pain of separation from her children and the guilt and shame associated with her past choices. 

Jacquie’s journey in the novel is one of redemption and reconnection, as she attempts to heal her fractured relationship with her sons and come to terms with her past. Her character represents the complex interplay of personal and historical trauma, as well as the possibility of healing and reconciliation. 

Jacquie’s story is also a commentary on the broader systemic issues that affect Indigenous families, including the foster care system and the legacy of residential schools.

Orvil Red Feather

Orvil, Jacquie’s biological grandson and Opal’s adopted grandson, is a young man struggling to find his place in a world that has historically marginalized his people. His brush with death at the Oakland Powwow and subsequent substance use disorder highlight the ongoing impact of violence and trauma on Indigenous youth. 

Orvil’s journey of recovery, both from his addiction and from the psychological scars of his past, is central to the narrative. His eventual decision to return to his family and pursue a life in music represents a reclaiming of agency and identity. 

Orvil’s character arc is one of the few hopeful threads in the novel, suggesting that healing is possible even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Loother and Lony Red Feather

Loother and Lony, Orvil’s brothers, each embody different responses to the trauma and dislocation that have shaped their lives. 

Loother’s anger and channeling of his emotions through writing echo the experiences of his grandfather, Charles, suggesting a cyclical pattern of creative expression as a means of coping with pain. 

Lony, the youngest, carries the burden of his family’s history in a more physical and ritualistic way, using self-harm and blood rituals as a means of connecting with the earth and his ancestors. 

His near-suicide on Alcatraz Island is a powerful moment in the novel, symbolizing both the depth of his despair and his yearning for freedom from the weight of his inherited trauma. 

Lony’s decision to leave on a road trip and his eventual reconciliation with his family through a letter highlight the tension between the desire to escape and the need to belong.

Themes

Generational Trauma and Resilience

One of the central themes explored in Wandering Stars is the enduring impact of generational trauma. The novel delves into the ways in which historical atrocities, such as the Sand Creek Massacre and the forced assimilation of Indigenous children in boarding schools, continue to shape the lives of subsequent generations. 

The characters grapple with the consequences of their ancestors’ suffering, experiencing a complex interplay of pain, anger, and resilience.

Orange masterfully illustrates how trauma can be passed down through generations, manifesting in various forms, including addiction, self-harm, and a sense of alienation. 

The novel highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing these intergenerational wounds in order to break the cycle of suffering and foster healing.

The Power of Art and Storytelling

Wandering Stars also explores the transformative power of art and storytelling. The characters find solace and purpose in expressing themselves through writing, music, and ritual. 

The novel suggests that art can serve as a means of preserving cultural heritage, reclaiming lost identities, and finding meaning in the face of adversity.

Through the characters’ experiences, Orange emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a form of resistance and healing. 

By sharing their stories, the characters challenge dominant narratives, give voice to their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and recognition.

The Search for Identity and Belonging

The novel delves into the complexities of Indigenous identity in a world that has often sought to erase it. 

The characters grapple with questions of belonging, cultural heritage, and the meaning of being Indigenous in a society that has historically marginalized and oppressed them.

Orange explores the ways in which Indigenous people navigate their identities in a predominantly white culture. 

The novel highlights the challenges of maintaining cultural traditions while navigating the demands of modern life. Through their experiences, the characters offer a nuanced exploration of the complexities of Indigenous identity and the ongoing struggle for self-determination.