Alexie Sherman tells an interesting story through Johnson Johnson, a homeless but generous Indian who lives in Seattle. Johnson had encountered difficulties in life before becoming homeless. Despite his hopeless state, he is compassionate and concerned about other’s well-being. Johnson seem to have a strong connection to his culture and heritage and would do anything to redeem himself and get connected to his roots. Giving is highly valued in Johnson’s culture and he portrays this attitude wherever he goes. Whenever he earns any money, he tends to share it with others by buying them food or alcohol. He says, “It’s tribal”. (Alexie, 2003). Johnson is liked by many. This is one of the reasons he is friends with a policeman and liked by restaurant
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When Johnson redeemed his grandmother’s regalia at the end of the story, he stated that “that solitary yellow bead was part of me” (Alexie, 2003). This relates to the rest of the story such that he was finally able to retrieve the regalia, hence regaining his lost identity. I believe that by redeeming the regalia, he eventually felt connected to his culture and background. Many years ago, Native Indians were colonized by the whites in America. In an attempt to assimilate the Indians into the American culture, their lands which serves as a means of accommodation and livelihood were seized from them. This had a huge negative impact in their lives. As a result, they suffered from depression, homelessness, alcoholism, domestic violence and substance abuse. Indians are regarded as one of the marginalized individuals in the society. This cultural genocide is similar to aboriginals in Canada where the colonialists took over their lands and put their children in residential schools so as to make them more Canadian and kill their culture. This effect has become intergenerational. In this story, Johnson is one of the many individuals who suffer from cultural genocide. He is an alcoholic who is constantly troubled by his historical past. Johnson stated “it’s my family’s story, let me tell it”. (Alexie, 2003). However, he is highly determined to find his identity and reconnect to his roots and …show more content…
She died a long time ago but she still lives on in his heart. Johnson said to the police officer “I’ve been killing myself since she died” (Alexie, 2003). Therefore by redeeming her regalia, he felt connected to her again. He felt her presence as soon as he wears the regalia. He felt his beloved grandmother and his long lost culture was there with him. As soon as he started dancing, he felt she was with him and by wearing the regalia he gets to be his grandmother. He stated that “I was my grandmother” (Alexie, 2003). In the beginning of the story, Johnson hardly gets noticed by people in the streets due to his physical state and homelessness but as soon as he wears the regalia, he becomes noticeable for a few minutes and the city stopped briefly to catch a glimpse of the Indian dancing with a regalia. “Pedestrians stopped, cars stopped” (Alexie, 2003). This is significant because for a moment, the city stopped to appreciate his culture and beloved grandmother. Indians want the society to respect them, their values and traditions. In the story, it eventually happened even though it was brief. Therefore, the solitary bead was important because that was the only evidence that the regalia was truly his
When Johnson redeemed his grandmother’s regalia at the end of the story, he stated that “that solitary yellow bead was part of me” (Alexie, 2003). This relates to the rest of the story such that he was finally able to retrieve the regalia, hence regaining his lost identity. I believe that by redeeming the regalia, he eventually felt connected to his culture and background. Many years ago, Native Indians were colonized by the whites in America. In an attempt to assimilate the Indians into the American culture, their lands which serves as a means of accommodation and livelihood were seized from them. This had a huge negative impact in their lives. As a result, they suffered from depression, homelessness, alcoholism, domestic violence and substance abuse. Indians are regarded as one of the marginalized individuals in the society. This cultural genocide is similar to aboriginals in Canada where the colonialists took over their lands and put their children in residential schools so as to make them more Canadian and kill their culture. This effect has become intergenerational. In this story, Johnson is one of the many individuals who suffer from cultural genocide. He is an alcoholic who is constantly troubled by his historical past. Johnson stated “it’s my family’s story, let me tell it”. (Alexie, 2003). However, he is highly determined to find his identity and reconnect to his roots and …show more content…
She died a long time ago but she still lives on in his heart. Johnson said to the police officer “I’ve been killing myself since she died” (Alexie, 2003). Therefore by redeeming her regalia, he felt connected to her again. He felt her presence as soon as he wears the regalia. He felt his beloved grandmother and his long lost culture was there with him. As soon as he started dancing, he felt she was with him and by wearing the regalia he gets to be his grandmother. He stated that “I was my grandmother” (Alexie, 2003). In the beginning of the story, Johnson hardly gets noticed by people in the streets due to his physical state and homelessness but as soon as he wears the regalia, he becomes noticeable for a few minutes and the city stopped briefly to catch a glimpse of the Indian dancing with a regalia. “Pedestrians stopped, cars stopped” (Alexie, 2003). This is significant because for a moment, the city stopped to appreciate his culture and beloved grandmother. Indians want the society to respect them, their values and traditions. In the story, it eventually happened even though it was brief. Therefore, the solitary bead was important because that was the only evidence that the regalia was truly his