Love Medicine

by

Louise Erdrich

Gerry Nanapush’s wife. When Dot is first introduced, she is six months pregnant with Gerry’s baby. She is one of the only women who works at a local construction site, along with Albertine, whom Dot later befriends. Dot is a kind but no nonsense woman who doesn’t tolerate any other women looking at Gerry, and she is another example of female strength in Love Medicine. Presumably, when Gerry escapes prison near the end of the novel and runs to Canada, he is going to be with Dot and their daughter.
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Dot Adare Character Timeline in Love Medicine

The timeline below shows where the character Dot Adare appears in Love Medicine. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Scales
Native Culture, Assimilation, and Racism Theme Icon
...is on her third or fourth drink sitting at a bar with Gerry Nanapush and Dot Adare. Gerry hasn’t had a drink in 13 years, and he sits at the bar... (full context)
Female Oppression and Strength  Theme Icon
...Gerry at a nearby bar, so she sat next to him and starting talking. Then Dot came in, at least six months pregnant, and threatened to “bend [Albertine] out of shape.”... (full context)
Female Oppression and Strength  Theme Icon
Dot glared at Albertine for most of the day, but Albertine wasn’t convinced Dot recognized her... (full context)
Native Culture, Assimilation, and Racism Theme Icon
Dot’s baby had been conceived in the visiting room during Gerry’s last prison stay. She sat... (full context)
Love Theme Icon
Each time he broke out, Gerry would go back to Dot and hide in her trailer. Gerry always said he “believed in justice, not laws,” and... (full context)
Love Theme Icon
One day in October, Dot arrives to work at the weigh shack with what she thinks are labor pains. She... (full context)
Native Culture, Assimilation, and Racism Theme Icon
God and Religion  Theme Icon
...Adalbert’s Hospital, where they go directly to the waiting room. Gerry is allowed to see Dot, and he is gone for nearly 30 minutes. He comes back to the waiting room... (full context)
Native Culture, Assimilation, and Racism Theme Icon
...on the old motorcycle, pop a wheelie, and race down the street. Two weeks later, Dot comes back to work at the weigh shack, along with her newborn daughter. A few... (full context)