Wendell Santiago
Showalter/Varley
DE English 112
07 March 2016
Sherman Alexie’s “Indian Education” The short story “Indian Education” by Sherman Alexie, contains multiple examples of racism and discrimination Victor faced over the course of his lifetime. Sherman Alexie uses the literary element of point of view to suggest Victor’s experiences of racism and discrimination growing up both on and away from the Indian reservation. The short story “Indian Education” is narrated by the author through first person depicting all of the experiences of the protagonist, Victor, growing up as a Native American. Through this, the narrator knows about what the protagonist is thinking and doing so that gives it a sense of understanding the feelings …show more content…
While Victor’s white friends tried to revived him, his Chicano teacher didn’t bother to help him because he assumed Victor was drunk just like any other Native American kids, he said “I know all these Indian kids. They start drinking really young” (Alexie 233). That teacher off the reservation made assumptions that Victor was drunk because he was Native American or Indian, even though Victor was successful academically and in basketball at his school. Victor did not only faced setbacks at school, he also faced starvation, not literally starvation for food but just like the Indians back at the reservations, starving for true education, some dignity and for a much better quality in life. With all of this setbacks, Victor managed to be a star at basketball and his class’ valedictorian. He even stood as the “school-board chairman as he recites all of the scholarships, achievements, and awards” (Alexie 234). This characteristic of resilience when after all the hardships, was clearly described by Victor given he manages to be valedictorian of his grade. Whereas those who were left in the reservation were struggling just like Wally Jim, who took his own life from a car
Showalter/Varley
DE English 112
07 March 2016
Sherman Alexie’s “Indian Education” The short story “Indian Education” by Sherman Alexie, contains multiple examples of racism and discrimination Victor faced over the course of his lifetime. Sherman Alexie uses the literary element of point of view to suggest Victor’s experiences of racism and discrimination growing up both on and away from the Indian reservation. The short story “Indian Education” is narrated by the author through first person depicting all of the experiences of the protagonist, Victor, growing up as a Native American. Through this, the narrator knows about what the protagonist is thinking and doing so that gives it a sense of understanding the feelings …show more content…
While Victor’s white friends tried to revived him, his Chicano teacher didn’t bother to help him because he assumed Victor was drunk just like any other Native American kids, he said “I know all these Indian kids. They start drinking really young” (Alexie 233). That teacher off the reservation made assumptions that Victor was drunk because he was Native American or Indian, even though Victor was successful academically and in basketball at his school. Victor did not only faced setbacks at school, he also faced starvation, not literally starvation for food but just like the Indians back at the reservations, starving for true education, some dignity and for a much better quality in life. With all of this setbacks, Victor managed to be a star at basketball and his class’ valedictorian. He even stood as the “school-board chairman as he recites all of the scholarships, achievements, and awards” (Alexie 234). This characteristic of resilience when after all the hardships, was clearly described by Victor given he manages to be valedictorian of his grade. Whereas those who were left in the reservation were struggling just like Wally Jim, who took his own life from a car