Michelle Romero
English 1B
Fall Qtr. 2006
"Holding On To Hope"
English 1B
Fall Qtr. 2006
"Holding On To Hope"
Sherman Alexie has been criticized by the Spokane Indian tribe for reinforcing many stereotypes concerning Native Americans and life on the reservation. Contrary to this view, it is my interpretation that Alexie rather exposes the reality of their situation and reveals the harsh road which led to alcoholism on the reservation. While the themes of this novel are often ambiguous, there are indicators that hope is among them. By utilizing symbolism, Sherman Alexie’s Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven portrays Euro-American culture as dominating Native American culture and reveals how some Native Americans are combating the defeat from this dominance
“Imaging the Reservation” is a perfect example of Euro-American culture and its influence on Native Americans. This story also questions the impact of their influence. For example, the speaker says: “Imagine Columbus landed in 1493 and some tribe or another drowned him in the ocean. Would Lester FallsApart still be shoplifting in the 7-11?” (149). Columbus in this passage, is obviously a symbol of Euro-Americans and the historical implications of their arrival. The 7-11 convenient store is symbolic of their influence as I do not imagine there were many convenient stores before Euro-Americans arrived. Therefore, speaker is pointing the blame for Lester FallsApart’s shoplifting to Euro-Americans; he is implying that there is something that happened from the Euro-Americans arrival which contributed either in part or in full to Lester’s present situation and his need or tendency toward shoplifting. One interpretation suggests that if Native Americans view the land as being stolen by Euro-Americans, they would have gotten the idea to steal from the Euro-Americans. Besides, there probably wouldn’t be a 7-11 around to seal from.
This story also addresses the defeat Euro-American dominance causes among many Native Americans living on the reservation. I found the most profound quote to be this: “How can we imagine a new language when the language of the enemy keeps our dismembered tongues tied to his belt?” (152). This passage speaks to the difficulty Native Americans have to dream for better things while they are so burdened by Euro-American regulations and dependent for survival. The symbolic belt in this passage along with the placement of the head in relation to the belt depicts an image of an master-slave relationship. Therefore, if the Native Americans try to move out of the box Euro-Americans have put them in, they will be punished, which is what a belt often represents: punishment.
To further emphasize this point, the speaker continues: “How do we imagine a new life when a pocketful of quarters weighs our possibilities down?” (152). Here we are faced with the same image of Native Americans being held back by Euro-Americans who are calling the shots, so to speak. The quarters which weigh down dreams are representative of the American government due to the image of George Washington which appears on every quarter. In addition, their placement in the pockets reveals that Native Americans are dependent on the government for money now that Euro-Americans have taken all the land and claimed it for their own. Basically, this story conveys the seeming impossibility for Native Americans to improve their situation while still being dominated by a Euro-American government.
Other stories, however, reveal how Native American’s do have choice and are taking control over their situation, how they are surviving. For example, while Samuel drinks himself drunk in “A Train is an Order of Occurrence Designed to Lead to Some Result,” Victor instead opts for a Diet Pepsi in “The Only Traffic Signal on the Reservation Doesn’t Flash Red Anymore.” This contrast challenges the stereotype that all Native Americans are drunkards by showing examples of those who make better choices.
In “Because My Father Always Said He Was the Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ At Woodstock,” we see how dreams point to a sense of hope among some Native Americans. For example, “[The Star Spangled Banner] made me want to learn to play guitar, not because I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix and not because I thought I’d ever play for anyone. I just wanted to touch the strings, to hold the guitar tight against my body, invent a chord, and come closer to what Jimi knew, to what my father knew” (28). In essence, the imagery and tone of this passage amplify the symbolic significance of one Native American’s dream to be and feel closer to Euro-American society. The song choice of course is symbolic of America and the American dream as it is the song that was written to mark the victory of Euro-American independence in their claim of this land. What is significant about this passage as a whole, however, is the fact that Victor still dreams at all; he still desires to be a part of the experience although he is presently excluded. People who have given up hope do not dream of things they know they will never have. Eventually, their feelings of defeat keep them from dreaming any longer. Therefore, this passage reveals the hope Victor has, of one day being a part of the Dream.
In addition to making right choices and dreaming, Native Americans use story-telling as a way to cope through the hard times. One passage states: “Thomas was a storyteller that nobody wanted to listen to. That’s like being a dentist in a town where everybody has false teeth” (61). Basically, while storytelling was not always something joyful, everyone needed it. Storytelling helps them to escape for a moment from their present situation; it is where they go to be sustained so that they may keep fighting. For example, while Victor had never liked Thomas much either, when he needed help, he went to him. In fact at these times, it says “Victor felt a sudden need for tradition” (62).
Honesty is another; if not the biggest way many Native Americans can resist complete dominance and defeat. The best example of this is at Thomas Builds the Fire’s trial. The judge of course ignores Thomas’s testimony and treats him without respect. However, Thomas does not allow this. Instead, he continues telling his story, on and on, never faltering from the truth. On page 96, Thomas says, “Honesty is all I have left.” It appears as though, if honesty is all he has left, then he will never cease to tell his story just as he recalls it. On a deeper level, this story symbolizes the importance of Native Americans to remember their past and to never cave into believing that what was done to them is okay.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven inspires Native Americans to always remember, to dream, and to survive by showing how other Native Americans are persevering. Rather than perpetuating negative stereotypes about Native Americans, Sherman Alexie sheds light to the severity of their situation as reason for understanding why many do turn to various forms of addiction. Even if they barely are surviving, they are a people who will find things like story telling to keep them going in their oppression. One day, they too will be witnesses.
Works Cited
Alexie, Sherman. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. New York: Grove Press, 2005.
“Imaging the Reservation” is a perfect example of Euro-American culture and its influence on Native Americans. This story also questions the impact of their influence. For example, the speaker says: “Imagine Columbus landed in 1493 and some tribe or another drowned him in the ocean. Would Lester FallsApart still be shoplifting in the 7-11?” (149). Columbus in this passage, is obviously a symbol of Euro-Americans and the historical implications of their arrival. The 7-11 convenient store is symbolic of their influence as I do not imagine there were many convenient stores before Euro-Americans arrived. Therefore, speaker is pointing the blame for Lester FallsApart’s shoplifting to Euro-Americans; he is implying that there is something that happened from the Euro-Americans arrival which contributed either in part or in full to Lester’s present situation and his need or tendency toward shoplifting. One interpretation suggests that if Native Americans view the land as being stolen by Euro-Americans, they would have gotten the idea to steal from the Euro-Americans. Besides, there probably wouldn’t be a 7-11 around to seal from.
This story also addresses the defeat Euro-American dominance causes among many Native Americans living on the reservation. I found the most profound quote to be this: “How can we imagine a new language when the language of the enemy keeps our dismembered tongues tied to his belt?” (152). This passage speaks to the difficulty Native Americans have to dream for better things while they are so burdened by Euro-American regulations and dependent for survival. The symbolic belt in this passage along with the placement of the head in relation to the belt depicts an image of an master-slave relationship. Therefore, if the Native Americans try to move out of the box Euro-Americans have put them in, they will be punished, which is what a belt often represents: punishment.
To further emphasize this point, the speaker continues: “How do we imagine a new life when a pocketful of quarters weighs our possibilities down?” (152). Here we are faced with the same image of Native Americans being held back by Euro-Americans who are calling the shots, so to speak. The quarters which weigh down dreams are representative of the American government due to the image of George Washington which appears on every quarter. In addition, their placement in the pockets reveals that Native Americans are dependent on the government for money now that Euro-Americans have taken all the land and claimed it for their own. Basically, this story conveys the seeming impossibility for Native Americans to improve their situation while still being dominated by a Euro-American government.
Other stories, however, reveal how Native American’s do have choice and are taking control over their situation, how they are surviving. For example, while Samuel drinks himself drunk in “A Train is an Order of Occurrence Designed to Lead to Some Result,” Victor instead opts for a Diet Pepsi in “The Only Traffic Signal on the Reservation Doesn’t Flash Red Anymore.” This contrast challenges the stereotype that all Native Americans are drunkards by showing examples of those who make better choices.
In “Because My Father Always Said He Was the Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ At Woodstock,” we see how dreams point to a sense of hope among some Native Americans. For example, “[The Star Spangled Banner] made me want to learn to play guitar, not because I wanted to be Jimi Hendrix and not because I thought I’d ever play for anyone. I just wanted to touch the strings, to hold the guitar tight against my body, invent a chord, and come closer to what Jimi knew, to what my father knew” (28). In essence, the imagery and tone of this passage amplify the symbolic significance of one Native American’s dream to be and feel closer to Euro-American society. The song choice of course is symbolic of America and the American dream as it is the song that was written to mark the victory of Euro-American independence in their claim of this land. What is significant about this passage as a whole, however, is the fact that Victor still dreams at all; he still desires to be a part of the experience although he is presently excluded. People who have given up hope do not dream of things they know they will never have. Eventually, their feelings of defeat keep them from dreaming any longer. Therefore, this passage reveals the hope Victor has, of one day being a part of the Dream.
In addition to making right choices and dreaming, Native Americans use story-telling as a way to cope through the hard times. One passage states: “Thomas was a storyteller that nobody wanted to listen to. That’s like being a dentist in a town where everybody has false teeth” (61). Basically, while storytelling was not always something joyful, everyone needed it. Storytelling helps them to escape for a moment from their present situation; it is where they go to be sustained so that they may keep fighting. For example, while Victor had never liked Thomas much either, when he needed help, he went to him. In fact at these times, it says “Victor felt a sudden need for tradition” (62).
Honesty is another; if not the biggest way many Native Americans can resist complete dominance and defeat. The best example of this is at Thomas Builds the Fire’s trial. The judge of course ignores Thomas’s testimony and treats him without respect. However, Thomas does not allow this. Instead, he continues telling his story, on and on, never faltering from the truth. On page 96, Thomas says, “Honesty is all I have left.” It appears as though, if honesty is all he has left, then he will never cease to tell his story just as he recalls it. On a deeper level, this story symbolizes the importance of Native Americans to remember their past and to never cave into believing that what was done to them is okay.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven inspires Native Americans to always remember, to dream, and to survive by showing how other Native Americans are persevering. Rather than perpetuating negative stereotypes about Native Americans, Sherman Alexie sheds light to the severity of their situation as reason for understanding why many do turn to various forms of addiction. Even if they barely are surviving, they are a people who will find things like story telling to keep them going in their oppression. One day, they too will be witnesses.
Works Cited
Alexie, Sherman. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. New York: Grove Press, 2005.
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