“What You Pawn I Will Redeem” is an interpretive short story about Jackson Jackson. In this story, Jackson Jackson has found himself in a situation where he struggles with many conflicts to recover his grandmother’s stolen regalia. He becomes very persistent in fulfilling this mission on his own despite the adverse circumstances he has to deal with.
The author of this story, Sherman Alexie, created the character of Jackson Jackson with a few similarities between them. They are both Spokane Indians and have dealt with alcohol abuse. Personal life events were used to overcome their internal conflict. Jackson Jackson is not your stereotypical homeless man. “If there’s such thing as an effective homeless man, then I suppose I’m effective. I know …show more content…
He also struggles with the man vs. nature conflict because he doesn’t have the money to purchase the regalia being homeless for six years. The man vs. man conflict that Jackson Jackson experiences is between him and the pawnbroker. Jackson Jackson wanted the regalia back but the pawnbroker did not want to lose the money he paid for it. He also dealt with the man vs. society conflict when he had to choose between saving the money he earned for the regalia or spending it on his friends. Jackson Jackson’s beliefs are that as an Indian, he is supposed to share with family. Jackson Jackson considers his friends as family. “’No, it’s tribal. It’s an Indian thing. When you win, you’re supposed to share with your family’” (Alexie 18). The man vs. man-made environment is between Jackson Jackson and Seattle. Homeless Indians are located everywhere in Seattle. People walk by them and look at them with anger and/or disgust. They are common but Jackson Jackson has found ways to live more comfortable as a homeless Indian. Although, Jackson Jackson failed at earning the money as he originally intended, he remained hopeful until the very last minute. In spite of all the obstacles he faced, Jackson Jackson was finally able to recover the regalia thanks to the generosity of the pawnbroker. His
The author of this story, Sherman Alexie, created the character of Jackson Jackson with a few similarities between them. They are both Spokane Indians and have dealt with alcohol abuse. Personal life events were used to overcome their internal conflict. Jackson Jackson is not your stereotypical homeless man. “If there’s such thing as an effective homeless man, then I suppose I’m effective. I know …show more content…
He also struggles with the man vs. nature conflict because he doesn’t have the money to purchase the regalia being homeless for six years. The man vs. man conflict that Jackson Jackson experiences is between him and the pawnbroker. Jackson Jackson wanted the regalia back but the pawnbroker did not want to lose the money he paid for it. He also dealt with the man vs. society conflict when he had to choose between saving the money he earned for the regalia or spending it on his friends. Jackson Jackson’s beliefs are that as an Indian, he is supposed to share with family. Jackson Jackson considers his friends as family. “’No, it’s tribal. It’s an Indian thing. When you win, you’re supposed to share with your family’” (Alexie 18). The man vs. man-made environment is between Jackson Jackson and Seattle. Homeless Indians are located everywhere in Seattle. People walk by them and look at them with anger and/or disgust. They are common but Jackson Jackson has found ways to live more comfortable as a homeless Indian. Although, Jackson Jackson failed at earning the money as he originally intended, he remained hopeful until the very last minute. In spite of all the obstacles he faced, Jackson Jackson was finally able to recover the regalia thanks to the generosity of the pawnbroker. His