Green Grass Running Water

Throughout the novel Green Grass Running Water by Thomas King, there are many allusions to both pop-culture and the Bible. When the four Indians blame coyote for causing the dam to break, they make two references to biblical events. The first allusion is to the flood. “‘The last time you fooled around like this,’ said Robinson Crusoe, “The world got very wet’” (pg. 416). In this section, it is also suggested that Coyote caused the birth of Jesus. The four Indians blame Coyote for these events, which apparently happened during previous attempts to fix the world.

Another allusion is to the ships of Christopher Columbus. The three cars that hit the dam were a Nissan, a Pinto, and a Karmann-Ghia. This is a reference to Columbus’ three ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa-Maria. These three cars hitting the dam is symbolic of the difficulties brought to North America by the Europeans.

Often, allusions are used for comedic effect. An example of this can be seen when Nasty Bumppo claims that Old Woman killed him, and that she needs a better killer name. His suggestions are Daniel Boone, Harry Truman, and Arthur Watkins. Another example of an allusion to history for comedic effect can be seen when Coyote asks who kills Nasty Bumppo. He makes an allusion to the assassination of President Kennedy by suggesting that there could be more than one gunman. Although this is referencing a tragic event, it is used in a comedic context.

Eli Stands Alone was a successful professor, but returns home to protect his childhood home that his mother built. The following passage shows his attitude to this change in his life.
“Eli sat down and waited for the coffee to brew and looked about the house at what he had become. Ph.D. in literature. Professor emeritus from the University of Toronto. A book on William Shakespeare. Another on Francis Bacon. Teacher of the Year. Twice.
Indian.
In the end, he had become what he had always been. An Indian”(pg. 262)
This quote shows that while he is proud of his achievements, his identity as an Indian is more important to him.

Lionel Red Dog has made many mistakes in his past, and is disappointed and ashamed with how his life has turned out.
“Life, Lionel mused as he felt his chest slide on top of his stomach, had become embarrassing. His job was embarrassing. His gold blazer was embarrassing. His car was embarrassing. Norma was right. Alberta wasn’t about to marry an embarrassment.” (pg 239)
This passage shows how Lionel is unhappy with his life. Later, he tries to improve his life by fixing the mistakes made in his past.

One passage that contributes to Coyote’s character happens when the earthquake that destroys the dam happens. “‘Earthquake, earthquake!’ yells Coyote ‘Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee-hee’” (pg. 411). This passage helps to show Coyote as a playful trickster who does not care about the consequences of his actions.