1. Frank Ross asked Alexie about the political nature of his writing, quoting him as saying he does not like to beat readers over the head with it. Alexie replied: “I like to make them laugh first, then beat them over the head . . . when they are defenseless.” Describe some examples from the stories that demonstrate this tactic. Choose one example to focus on and explain how the humor and political point work together as in the above quote.
Alexie frequently uses humor as a gateway to discussing his political beliefs. In every short story in The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Alexie subtly finds a way to encorporate humor, whether it be in the storyline, dialogue or situations the characters are placed in. The story Because My Father Always Said He was The Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock, Alexie recounts the childhood of Victor, whose father had an unhealthly obsession with guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. In this story, the reader observes Victor's memories of his father, including his father's retelling of the day he saw Jimi Hendrix play at Woodstock. His story is filled with humor, although, at first glance, the reader may not see how the humor is also incredibly political as well. Victor says that, during the sixties, his father was, "the perfect hippie, since all the hippies were trying to be Indians" (24). On the surface, this is meant to be comical, to make the reader laugh, however, with further analyzation, it is clear that Alexie is commenting on the irony and the hypocrisy that the sixties held for American Indians. If all the hippies were trying to be Indians, in that they wished to be closer to nature and live life simply and peacefully, then why was Victor's father labeled as a native? The headlines that appear in the paper in regards to his father's picture read "One Warrior Against War" and "Peaceful Gathering Turns Into Native Uprising" (25). These headlines display a paradox of conflicting ideas that the sixties held. On one hand, Indians were praised as being hippies, the true vision of what a hippie should be, while on the other hand, Indians were thought of as being warriors, so they couldn't possibly want peace. By the end of this story, Alexie has made the reader laugh with the use of his comical situations and creative puns, but the reader leaves feeling "defenseless", unable to understand how and why the American Indians were treated as outsiders in of age of peace and love.
2. On whiteness, Indian identity and colonialism, Alexie says, “What is colonialism but the breeding out of existence of the colonized? The most dangerous thing for Indians, then, now and forever is that we love our colonizers. And we do.” He goes on to say, and I paraphrase, that Indian identity now is mostly a matter of cultural difference; that culture is received knowledge, because the authentic practitioners are gone. The culture is all adopted culture, not innate. Colonization is complete. Think about how what he is discussing plays out in his stories. Choose one (a different one than for the first question) and discuss how a story represents the characters' relationship to the tribe's past and to the colonizing culture.
Alexie provides a strong example for this argument in the story What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona when he explains the childlike relationship between Victor and Thomas Builds-A-Fire when they were ten years old. Victor and Thomas go and see the fireworks together on the Fourth of July and before the fireworks begin, Thomas comments on how strange it is that "us Indians celebrate the Fourth of July. It ain't like it was our independence everybody was fighting for' (63). This statement stood out to me not only because it is true, but also because it shows how colonization is indeed complete. Although American Indians and their culture are a part of America, the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 for the white man's freedom for the English, not the natives. In signing that document hundreds of years ago, the white man took the land that belonged to the Indians from them, yet, ironically, the Indians in the story celebrate July 4th just like the white man. Many readers may overlook this at first, but Alexie seems to have a very strong opinion about this matter. Thomas represents his thoughts and feelings, as Thomas is the logical one in the story in comparison to Victor and also the character who has the most connection to the Indian culture.
Alexie, Sherman. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight In Heaven. New York, New York: 2005.
Alexie frequently uses humor as a gateway to discussing his political beliefs. In every short story in The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Alexie subtly finds a way to encorporate humor, whether it be in the storyline, dialogue or situations the characters are placed in. The story Because My Father Always Said He was The Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock, Alexie recounts the childhood of Victor, whose father had an unhealthly obsession with guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. In this story, the reader observes Victor's memories of his father, including his father's retelling of the day he saw Jimi Hendrix play at Woodstock. His story is filled with humor, although, at first glance, the reader may not see how the humor is also incredibly political as well. Victor says that, during the sixties, his father was, "the perfect hippie, since all the hippies were trying to be Indians" (24). On the surface, this is meant to be comical, to make the reader laugh, however, with further analyzation, it is clear that Alexie is commenting on the irony and the hypocrisy that the sixties held for American Indians. If all the hippies were trying to be Indians, in that they wished to be closer to nature and live life simply and peacefully, then why was Victor's father labeled as a native? The headlines that appear in the paper in regards to his father's picture read "One Warrior Against War" and "Peaceful Gathering Turns Into Native Uprising" (25). These headlines display a paradox of conflicting ideas that the sixties held. On one hand, Indians were praised as being hippies, the true vision of what a hippie should be, while on the other hand, Indians were thought of as being warriors, so they couldn't possibly want peace. By the end of this story, Alexie has made the reader laugh with the use of his comical situations and creative puns, but the reader leaves feeling "defenseless", unable to understand how and why the American Indians were treated as outsiders in of age of peace and love.
2. On whiteness, Indian identity and colonialism, Alexie says, “What is colonialism but the breeding out of existence of the colonized? The most dangerous thing for Indians, then, now and forever is that we love our colonizers. And we do.” He goes on to say, and I paraphrase, that Indian identity now is mostly a matter of cultural difference; that culture is received knowledge, because the authentic practitioners are gone. The culture is all adopted culture, not innate. Colonization is complete. Think about how what he is discussing plays out in his stories. Choose one (a different one than for the first question) and discuss how a story represents the characters' relationship to the tribe's past and to the colonizing culture.
Alexie provides a strong example for this argument in the story What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona when he explains the childlike relationship between Victor and Thomas Builds-A-Fire when they were ten years old. Victor and Thomas go and see the fireworks together on the Fourth of July and before the fireworks begin, Thomas comments on how strange it is that "us Indians celebrate the Fourth of July. It ain't like it was our independence everybody was fighting for' (63). This statement stood out to me not only because it is true, but also because it shows how colonization is indeed complete. Although American Indians and their culture are a part of America, the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 for the white man's freedom for the English, not the natives. In signing that document hundreds of years ago, the white man took the land that belonged to the Indians from them, yet, ironically, the Indians in the story celebrate July 4th just like the white man. Many readers may overlook this at first, but Alexie seems to have a very strong opinion about this matter. Thomas represents his thoughts and feelings, as Thomas is the logical one in the story in comparison to Victor and also the character who has the most connection to the Indian culture.
Alexie, Sherman. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight In Heaven. New York, New York: 2005.
I didn't even recognize the irony that the sixties held for the American Indians. Even more of Alexie's humor slipping in here! I enjoy how you say that Indians were both on the side and the outside of the sixties. The Fourth of July being something negative was highly striking as well. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about "What It Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona" dealing with the boys celebrating the 4th of July. I believe there are quite a few elements in that short story that could relate to colonialism and you brought out the strongest one. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI wrote the same thing on humor and I agree that the political nature doesn't really come into play until headline are describing Victor's dad. Also something I forgot to mention in mine was when Victor said his dad told him that they were making an example out of him and that's why he went to the penitentiary. Just something interesting that still separates the Indians even when people try to act like them. This was really good
ReplyDeletei never looked at the Jimi chapter in that way. good job
ReplyDeleteGood job and good points in your first response! I think the opposite nature of 'hippies' and 'warriors' could be made a little clearer though. I feel like when you discuss hippies, they are just people who want to be closer to nature when the point I think you want to make is that they want peace.
ReplyDeleteGreat point in the second response as well. I had just blown passed the story about the Fourth of July. Nice work.