Mia Bahr
WPCP
American Lit
October 5, 2015
“What Sacagawea Means to Me,” by Sherman Alexie appeared in the TIME magazine’s 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition edition. In the article he writes about Sacagawea’s struggles throughout the Lewis and Clark Expedition and poses a question as to whether or not the benefits of colonization equalizes the grief and toils caused to others. He supports his argument and preaches to his audience with a satirical tone that forces the reader to think critically about his questions.He comes to the conclusion that Sacagawea and America are contradictions, and makes the reader realize that from so much evil that comes in colonization, there can grow to be so much beauty and brilliance. Alexie’s …show more content…
He constantly makes dark but humorous remarks about the way Sacagawea’s treatment during her life. In the first paragraph, Alexie writes about a Sacagawea theme park where one would be put through the things Sacagawea went through in 15 minutes, which mocks Sacagawea much like the rest of the world was, as is apparent by the rest of the text. He says at the end of the paragraph “at the end of your Sacagawea journey, you will be shown the exit and given a souvenir T-shirt that reads, IF THE U.S. IS EDEN, THEN SACAGAWEA IS EVE”. The clear undertones of distaste for American-trash culture through his sarcasm conveys his argument that America is contradictory in general and for trivializing the life of an important figure that endured hardships. Alexie provided events in Sacagawea’s life, talking about how in the Sacagawea theme park, “Your first child, Jean-Baptiste, will be only a few months old as you carry him during your long journey with Lewis and Clark.” and after the journey was over, all Sacagawea got was a pat on the back before she was forgotten by historians. He continues in the essay to state that he, America and Sacagawea are contradictions. His implied audience in TIME would be individuals interested in Sacagawea’s involvement in the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the contradictions of their nation. Alexie writes of how things so great can take place at the same time as something so vile to
WPCP
American Lit
October 5, 2015
“What Sacagawea Means to Me,” by Sherman Alexie appeared in the TIME magazine’s 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition edition. In the article he writes about Sacagawea’s struggles throughout the Lewis and Clark Expedition and poses a question as to whether or not the benefits of colonization equalizes the grief and toils caused to others. He supports his argument and preaches to his audience with a satirical tone that forces the reader to think critically about his questions.He comes to the conclusion that Sacagawea and America are contradictions, and makes the reader realize that from so much evil that comes in colonization, there can grow to be so much beauty and brilliance. Alexie’s …show more content…
He constantly makes dark but humorous remarks about the way Sacagawea’s treatment during her life. In the first paragraph, Alexie writes about a Sacagawea theme park where one would be put through the things Sacagawea went through in 15 minutes, which mocks Sacagawea much like the rest of the world was, as is apparent by the rest of the text. He says at the end of the paragraph “at the end of your Sacagawea journey, you will be shown the exit and given a souvenir T-shirt that reads, IF THE U.S. IS EDEN, THEN SACAGAWEA IS EVE”. The clear undertones of distaste for American-trash culture through his sarcasm conveys his argument that America is contradictory in general and for trivializing the life of an important figure that endured hardships. Alexie provided events in Sacagawea’s life, talking about how in the Sacagawea theme park, “Your first child, Jean-Baptiste, will be only a few months old as you carry him during your long journey with Lewis and Clark.” and after the journey was over, all Sacagawea got was a pat on the back before she was forgotten by historians. He continues in the essay to state that he, America and Sacagawea are contradictions. His implied audience in TIME would be individuals interested in Sacagawea’s involvement in the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the contradictions of their nation. Alexie writes of how things so great can take place at the same time as something so vile to