The Medicine Bag Changes

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Martin, the main character in “The Medicine Bag” changes immensely compared to the beginning of the story; he is first insecure about his heritage and his grandfather but is now proud. Wanting to “sink right through the pavement” when he sees Grandpa is just one example of him wanting to disappear when he sees his grandfather, possibly out of embarrassment that his friends will say something bad about him(page 2). Martin would later discover the medicine bag while undressing his unconscious grandfather. He describes it as an ugly old leather pouch which he does not want to wear because he is afraid of what his friend would think of it. When Grandpa realizes that this was the case, he tells Martin a story of its origin and importance. Once he

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