White people had a set idea about all Native American communities and they never acknowledged that these could be incorrect, let alone be true for all tribes. The kids at Reardon believed that the casino generated a lot of money, and they believed the federal government gives allowances to all native people. In reality, the casinos are mismanaged and it produces no revenue for the Spokane people. Linden Lark believed that if he reviewed enough about Indian law that he would not get caught for the rape of Geraldine Coutts and murder of Mayla Wolfskin. White people had pre-conceived notions of Indian tribes in general, but failed to realize the diverse groups that inhabit the Native American label. Calling Ojibwe and Spokane cultures the same
…show more content…
Erdrich and Alexie present two alike white societies that interact with two separate native societies in similar ways. Both maintain their physical distance while asserting their slow dominion over the tribes through pop culture, social burdens, and economic pressures. In The Roundhouse, Ojibwe culture takes a stand versus the misconceptions it faces. Although most of their religion and language has been lost to the newer generations, the Ojibwe people maintained several core values through storytelling and secret ceremonies. In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie depicts a society where much of its culture has been lost to the Americans. Only powwows, great wakes, and rampant poverty withstood the test of time for the Spokanes. The combination of these two novels, and the journeys that Joe and Junior go through, illustrate the chaos that has become fundamental in the interactions between these two groups. As Junior formed connections in Reardon, he had to overcome social barriers and an identity crisis that led him to discover some of the best qualities of both peoples. As Joe seeked vengeance for his mother, he found that he was unknowingly seeking vengeance for his people; he was not fighting Linden Lark, he was fighting the system that disadvantaged Native Americans and allowed Lark to roam free. These two different lessons are taught on two distinct reservations hundreds of miles apart. The lessons these two protagonists learn deal with their respective tribes and illustrate that Native America is a diverse place that spans thousands of miles and has thousands of unique lessons to be
Erdrich and Alexie present two alike white societies that interact with two separate native societies in similar ways. Both maintain their physical distance while asserting their slow dominion over the tribes through pop culture, social burdens, and economic pressures. In The Roundhouse, Ojibwe culture takes a stand versus the misconceptions it faces. Although most of their religion and language has been lost to the newer generations, the Ojibwe people maintained several core values through storytelling and secret ceremonies. In The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie depicts a society where much of its culture has been lost to the Americans. Only powwows, great wakes, and rampant poverty withstood the test of time for the Spokanes. The combination of these two novels, and the journeys that Joe and Junior go through, illustrate the chaos that has become fundamental in the interactions between these two groups. As Junior formed connections in Reardon, he had to overcome social barriers and an identity crisis that led him to discover some of the best qualities of both peoples. As Joe seeked vengeance for his mother, he found that he was unknowingly seeking vengeance for his people; he was not fighting Linden Lark, he was fighting the system that disadvantaged Native Americans and allowed Lark to roam free. These two different lessons are taught on two distinct reservations hundreds of miles apart. The lessons these two protagonists learn deal with their respective tribes and illustrate that Native America is a diverse place that spans thousands of miles and has thousands of unique lessons to be