In Louise Erdrich’s short story, “Destiny”, the complex characters she creates drive the narrative. The characters, Celestine, and her granddaughter, Wallacette, are at the center of the story which is told through the eyes of Celestine’s friend. Despite the focus being a short visit the narrator and Celestine make to see Wallacette, the story considers the larger implications of the character’s seemingly simple actions. Erdrich deliberately constructs the characters Celestine and Wallacette along with the relationship between them in “Destiny” to convey the role of fate in their lives. Erdrich uses several elements to create the characters in “Destiny”, with introductions focusing largely on physical appearance which is either reinforced…show more content… One of these themes, as the title of the story suggests, is the role of “destiny” in the lives of the characters. Wallacette is the most clearly subject to fate in the story, beginning with being named after her grandfather, and as the narrator says, “Wallacette she became” (134). The idea of living up to her name, another form of fulfilling her destiny, is arguably one of Wallacettes primary motivations throughout the novel. For instance, at the end of the story, instead of being vulnerable and allowing herself to be comforted, “Wallacette charges suddenly from the room like a bull, running right over her grandmother” (143). Wallacette feels obligated to maintain the persona which is establish early on by Erdrich and ultimately refuses to give into a crack in her armor. On the other hand, the influence of destiny on Celestine’s character and actions are less obvious, but it is still a major factor. For the most part, Celestine’s actions are in accordance with the characteristics initially associated with her, like her spiteful actions towards Adele: making Jell-O with nuts and bolts and taping “Adele’s name where it cannot be missed” (139). However, one of Celestine’s primary motivations is her biggest vulnerability, Wallacette, which contradicts what the narrator sees as her heart that is “cold as clay” (136). Her tender regard for
