Indian education
The Lone Rangers and Tonto Fist Fight in heaven.
The central question in the story is: How does the Alexies develop the central theme, alcoholism in his work?
Every writer has the reason for presenting a certain teaching in their piece which always comes in form of the theme that they include. In his book, Sherman Alexie needs to talk about the difference that exists between the Native Americans and the Indians (AlexieInterview 1). This therefore brings the central theme of ethnicity which comes out in his whole book. The book consists of twenty two stories which help Alexies in exclusively bringing out his main theme. All the stories are interconnected such that they have common characters hence making the book to be consistent with its themes (Cengage 1). This makes many of the people to feel that the book take form of a novel because of the consistency of the characters.
The development of consistent characters within the short stories is important because it prevents the writer from deviating to other themes which may confuse the audience of the book. This is because there is free flow of plot from one story to another with the characters maintaining their part in the story. This has therefore helped the writer in developing the theme of ethnicity which is ripe between the Native Americans and the Indians. The main characters in the book are Victor Joseph and Thomas. They are Native Americans who live in the reservation of the Indians (Cengage 1). The writer uses various styles of writing in an effective way that helps him in making the theme even more interesting for the readers (AlexieInterview 1). The styles help him to attract the readers because they complement the free flow of the plot in the story; consequently having the audience reading his book. Some of the stylistic devices that the writer uses are imagery, flashbacks among other strategic styles used by the writer. From the plot to the settings, the writer has been able to bring out themes which build up the central theme of ethnicity, for instance, alcoholism, poverty, individual identity and understanding (Cengage 1). These substituent themes develop from the way the writer presents his book. The following are therefore some instances in which the writer achieves the central theme in the story:
How the Plot has contributed to the central theme
The way the writer presents the plot of the story helps him in developing the central theme in the story. The story mainly focuses on two characters, that is, Victor and Thomas. It is through these two characters that the other characters’ action comes emanate. The stories are continous from the first one, Every Little Hurricane which builds the base for which the other stories take their course. All the happenings in the first short story precede all the other happenings in the stories that proceed after it therefore bringing the connection between the stories. This brings the relationship between the stories which all talk about the theme of relationship between the two races; consequently, extensively talking about it more. For instance, Every Little Hurricane talks about the family of victor while the second story, A drug Called Tradition talks about Thomas (Cengage 1). This gives the writer an ample space to present a firm background for presenting his theme. The description of the two characters helps the writer in presenting the central theme in the book because the audience gets to know more about the audience. Most of the stories involve the use of style of story inside a story which helps him in bringing the flashback which are important in presenting the central theme. For instance, he presents a story of how Victor’s father used to get drunk; consequently, contributing to the reserved poverty of the family. He also makes use of dialogue which helps him in presenting the traits of the different characters in the story. It also helps in bringing the views of the characters about life hence developing the themes within the story. For example, the dialogue between Victor and his father shows how alcohol was contributing to the cold relationship in the family. The writer has therefore designed the plot in an effective way to help him in projecting the theme of alcoholism which have its effect being poverty as shown by how Victor’s family is suffering.
The characters
In achieving the theme of alcoholism, the writer have used relevant characters blend well with the subject he needs to talk about. The characters in a story always have a significant role to play in projecting the theme intended by the writer. The traits given to the characters determine at what intensity, the writer would be able to achieve his aim. The theme of any book has a direct relation to the traits accorded to the characters. Alexies therefore uses the characters in such a way that everything they do, works in making up the theme of alcohol in the book. For instance, Victor and Joseph are Native Americans who instead of living in their real land as would be expected, are living on the places reserved for the Indians. In the story, Every Little Hurricane, the writer brings out the characters of the family of Victor in such a way that it presents how the family is living with each other (Oppapers, 1).
The writer makes use of the flashback to show how the family used to suffer when victor was just four years old. This helps the writer in presenting the theme of poverty in the story which arises from alcoholism, acting as the main theme in the story. The writer also shows contrast between Victor and Thomas, with the former being poor and the latter being richer. This comes when Thomas organizes a party considered as the second largest reservation in the history of parties while Victor is whining in the alcoholism of his family which makes him poor. The contrast between the two characters helps the writer in illustrating the effect of poverty in a family. In order to make a living we see Victor and Benjamin go to the extent of stealing horses.
It is also worth noting that the trait of taking drugs also brings the difference existing between Thomas and Victor (New York Times 1). The rich have the resources they require and therefore it is difficult to find them engaging in such acts like stealing. However, the poor cannot afford some basics therefore forcing them to steal as it happens to Victor. It is from this that we see Thomas, from his compassion offers to assist Victor in retrieving their belongings through the money that the former gives to the latter. The character of Victor’s father also contributes in illustrating the theme of poverty. Sherman depicts Victors father as alcoholic which further worsen the situation of the family in poverty since alcoholism cannot allow him to contribute to the needs of his family (Oppapers, 1). The writer also presents other characters such as Julius who again succumbs to the effect of alcoholism. The designing of the appropriate traits to the characters have enabled the writer to illustrate the theme of alcoholism and its effect on the daily activities.
Settings
The settings are also important in defining the theme of any book. The type of settings used help in developing the central theme therefore the writer would have to identify a setting that would blend with the theme of the story. Sherman therefore uses settings that would associate with the theme of alcoholism. He uses various settings which blend well with the subject he discusses in the book. For instance he uses the setting of reservation of the Indians where the Victor and Thomas who were Native American had relocated migrated to. This presents an area where the audience would expect the presence of poverty and alcoholism. The Indians in the reservation always associate to poverty and the subsequent alcoholism which would blend well with the two families. He presents a setting which occupied by the family of Victor, who are affected by alcoholism. The setting represented by Victor’s family helps in stressing on the use of alcohol in the region hence stressing on alcoholism which has made the region to associate with poverty (Oppapers, 1). While in the same setting we still find that Thomas is rich and does not associate with alcoholism like his counterpart Victor. The setting therefore helps the writer compare between the two characters in the same region since Thomas is not affected by alcoholism and is also richer than Victor.
The setting represented by Thomas’ party also serves in showing the difference between poverty and richness. While Victor is busy taking ride to Benjamin where he ends up taking drugs, Thomas is busy organizing the second largest party reservation. The setting achieved when victor and Benjamin were stealing the horse also shows the effect of alcoholism and the subsequent poverty (New York Times 1). Another setting that the writer uses is that where Victor’s father dies in Phoenix and therefore he has to retrieve his belongings (Cengage 1). The setting which is in the hospital helps to show the effect of alcoholism which had obviously killed Victor’s father. This therefore illustrates the effect of alcoholism on one’s health, which is always negative. The other significant setting in the book is that when there is a dialogue between Adrian and Victor. This setting serves in showing the reform status of the two from taking alcohol; consequently showing that there is no difficulty in reforming from alcoholism. It is from this setting that we get Adrian having a resolution about never taking alcohol again. The reform from alcohol helps her to have the idea of developing her talent. The setting has therefore helped the writer in illustrating the various influence alcohol have on individuals in the society; hence achieving the theme of alcoholism.
Process letter
Description of the writing process
Having read the book in more than one time, I did not have much difficulty in analyzing the theme of the book. This is because I had understood all the components of the book including its subject. Our teacher had also taught us on the important elements in analyzing themes in any book. I therefore made use of such elements such as settings and the plot of the story to identify the central theme in the story.
The good and the bad things about the paper
I consider my paper good because I have analyzed the central theme using the relevant episodes in the story making the paper even more authentic. I have also analyzed the traits in such a way that I bring the difference between the characters thereby helping in proper analysis of the theme. The only thing that I did not I understood is whether there are other elements which could be used in analyzing the themes.
My attitude towards my paper
I loved the writing because the book was equally interesting and while analyzing the theme I got to understand the deeper concept in the book. Generally, I have enjoyed writing the paper and have also liked the paper.
Where I got stuck
In the course of writing the paper, I got stuck just after reading the instructions since I did not understand what the instructor wanted from me. I only got unstuck when I remembered that for one to get the central theme one must analyze the important elements such as the settings and the plot in the book. I only got frustrated when I realized that the book got so many short stories of which the instructor needed me to analyze.
What I learnt
In the course of writing I learnt that there always exist smaller themes which make the central theme in a book. For instance, in the paper there is alcoholism which constitutes poverty and family ties.
The main point
The outstanding point in my paper is that the way the writer uses writing elements is what defines what his central theme will be.
How the paper differs from other papers
This paper is different from the other papers I have always written because it involved the analysis of one theme, a situation which I have always substituted with analyzing more themes within the same word count requirement. Therefore I had to do more research than usual to reach the word count.
Work Cited
Cengage, Gage. Enotes: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie. 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.enotes.com/lone-ranger-tonto-fistfight-heaven
Oppapers. Sherman Alexie’s Short Stories. 2012. Retrieved from: http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Sherman-Alexie-s-Short-Stories/163807
Martin7. YouTube: Indian education trailer. 2009. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzYT2swxJR8
New York times. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexi. 1993. Retrieved from: http://www.lyberty.com/encyc/articles/newspaper/indian_doesnt_tell.html
AlexieInterview. Spokane Words: An Interview with Sherman Alexie. 1996. Retrieved from: http://www.lang.osaka-u.ac.jp/~krkvls/salexie.html
