In order to reclaim a fundamental part of one’s identity a person must commit to its redemption by abandoning self-centered desires and reestablishing a connection with their cultural roots in the process of trying to regain what was previously lost.
Sherman Alexie’s “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” centers its work around this single meaningful theme. The main character, Jackson Jackson, works to regain a part of his identity previously lost to him, that being his grandmother’s regalia. His desire to redeem a critical part of his identity prompts an unparalleled commitment, this commitment of which causes a gradual abandonment of self-centered desires. This is shown through several selfless acts where he puts his money towards the interests …show more content…
Though Jackson Jackson technically needs all of the money he gains to reclaim the regalia he abandons this desire that only functions for his own self-interest to give to those he meets and forms human connections with. These human connections that he makes as a result of abandoned self interests ultimately prove to be much more redeeming then the value of the money he ends up with. “‘But I wanted to win it.” “You did win it. Now take it before I change my mind’” (12). This directly shows how in order to reclaim a critical part of identity a person must not put the utmost importance on monetary or materialistic gains. Rather, they will have better success by putting meaningful actions behind the process of their redemption. Because Jackson Jackson puts more passionate care and emphasis into the process of redeeming the regalia he ends up getting it back faster than he would have if he spent all his efforts purely on materialistic approaches. For Jackson Jackson this meant giving up his own personal desires to redeem himself in the eyes of others, which is eventually reflected when he encounters the Pawn shop owner to reclaim the regalia. In the process of working to regain the missing piece of identity Jackson Jackson also reestablishes a long lost …show more content…
The selective details presented throughout the story develop the part of the theme that states that one must abandon desires of self-interest to redeem what was lost to them. This is shown in the story through the carefully selected details that, as the story progresses, show the reader how Jackson Jackson discarding his own personal desires gain him the regalia and, additionally, his identity in the end. The story does not present this through highly significant or momentous actions, which is why the selection of detail plays an important role in conveying the message. This is shown through several quotes that play along the same concept, such as when Jackson Jackson gives some of his money to a girl named Mary. “Thank you,” I said, and gave her one of the bills” (6). Although a small and seemingly insignificant detail it helps to later show how such a small gesture goes a long way in the redemption of the regalia. This gesture is paralleled by others of a similar kind and selfless nature which contribute to the inference that all of these little things combined are meant to have a momentous purpose in showing how they helped Jackson Jackson redeem the regalia. The particular stories and details of his culture that Jackson Jackson also goes on to share are meant to achieve a certain purpose, the purpose being to show how he is slowly reconnecting with his cultural roots and allowing himself to
Sherman Alexie’s “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” centers its work around this single meaningful theme. The main character, Jackson Jackson, works to regain a part of his identity previously lost to him, that being his grandmother’s regalia. His desire to redeem a critical part of his identity prompts an unparalleled commitment, this commitment of which causes a gradual abandonment of self-centered desires. This is shown through several selfless acts where he puts his money towards the interests …show more content…
Though Jackson Jackson technically needs all of the money he gains to reclaim the regalia he abandons this desire that only functions for his own self-interest to give to those he meets and forms human connections with. These human connections that he makes as a result of abandoned self interests ultimately prove to be much more redeeming then the value of the money he ends up with. “‘But I wanted to win it.” “You did win it. Now take it before I change my mind’” (12). This directly shows how in order to reclaim a critical part of identity a person must not put the utmost importance on monetary or materialistic gains. Rather, they will have better success by putting meaningful actions behind the process of their redemption. Because Jackson Jackson puts more passionate care and emphasis into the process of redeeming the regalia he ends up getting it back faster than he would have if he spent all his efforts purely on materialistic approaches. For Jackson Jackson this meant giving up his own personal desires to redeem himself in the eyes of others, which is eventually reflected when he encounters the Pawn shop owner to reclaim the regalia. In the process of working to regain the missing piece of identity Jackson Jackson also reestablishes a long lost …show more content…
The selective details presented throughout the story develop the part of the theme that states that one must abandon desires of self-interest to redeem what was lost to them. This is shown in the story through the carefully selected details that, as the story progresses, show the reader how Jackson Jackson discarding his own personal desires gain him the regalia and, additionally, his identity in the end. The story does not present this through highly significant or momentous actions, which is why the selection of detail plays an important role in conveying the message. This is shown through several quotes that play along the same concept, such as when Jackson Jackson gives some of his money to a girl named Mary. “Thank you,” I said, and gave her one of the bills” (6). Although a small and seemingly insignificant detail it helps to later show how such a small gesture goes a long way in the redemption of the regalia. This gesture is paralleled by others of a similar kind and selfless nature which contribute to the inference that all of these little things combined are meant to have a momentous purpose in showing how they helped Jackson Jackson redeem the regalia. The particular stories and details of his culture that Jackson Jackson also goes on to share are meant to achieve a certain purpose, the purpose being to show how he is slowly reconnecting with his cultural roots and allowing himself to