I think it would be fair to argue( and maybe a little too obvious) that Lina's perspective is very similar to Magawisca. Both view the Europeans through the lens of their own culture, and both feel a very strong connection to their tribes even after their tribes have been destroyed. However, I feel like Lina's perspective is much more emotionally potent because it is told in first person instead of third person. We see Lina not only as a Native American who values nature, but also as a woman. On page 58 she talks about how helpless she and the other females on the farm will be if their mistress dies because they would be “belonging to no one, became wild game for anyone.” If this book is to define Colonial America, in the way Absalom, Absalom! defined the Antebellum South, I think Morrison’s decision to focus on strong female characters will give it an interesting perspective. It makes obvious to the reader that it just wasn’t Native Americans or black slaves that were oppressed, but that women also had limited opportunities.
Even Lina, who is very intelligent and has helped build the farm and learned many skills, relies on the her owners for protection because she realizes her own vulnerability as a woman.
Lina's similarities to Magawisca reflect the image of dignity both Morrison and Sedgewick give to the Native American people. Both characters maintain composure through all situations, while demonstrating intellect superior to most of their male counterparts. Morrison makes the obvious statement in her novel about the mistreatment of African-Americans; however, she also chooses to dignify the Native American population through Lina. Despite all the hardship in her life, Lina emerges to become an heroic character. Morrison and Sedgewick reverse roles throughout their respective novels, as characters like Lina and Magawisca defy the traditional roles the society of their day places on them.
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