They are thereby often characterized as alcoholics. However, Alexie shifts this paradigm through the story’s plot and characters. Despite both Jimmy One-Horse and Norma frequenting the Powwow Tavern, they never purchased alcoholic drinks. In fact, only one mention of a drunk individual is made during the story. Thus, the officer’s assumption that Jimmy One-Horse had been drinking when he missed a turn signal perpetuates a common cultural stereotype. The plot also highlights the importance of family within the Native American community. For instance, the wedding of Jimmy One-Horse and Norma was attended by all their extended family members. Furthermore, the reverence of elders was incorporated into the story, most notably by Norma. She was committed to “visit[ing] tribal elders,” regardless of how far they lived because their deaths “[took] a piece of [their] past away” (Alexie 5). Elements involved in the relationship of Jimmy One-Horse and Norma, from beginning to end, emphasize Native American
They are thereby often characterized as alcoholics. However, Alexie shifts this paradigm through the story’s plot and characters. Despite both Jimmy One-Horse and Norma frequenting the Powwow Tavern, they never purchased alcoholic drinks. In fact, only one mention of a drunk individual is made during the story. Thus, the officer’s assumption that Jimmy One-Horse had been drinking when he missed a turn signal perpetuates a common cultural stereotype. The plot also highlights the importance of family within the Native American community. For instance, the wedding of Jimmy One-Horse and Norma was attended by all their extended family members. Furthermore, the reverence of elders was incorporated into the story, most notably by Norma. She was committed to “visit[ing] tribal elders,” regardless of how far they lived because their deaths “[took] a piece of [their] past away” (Alexie 5). Elements involved in the relationship of Jimmy One-Horse and Norma, from beginning to end, emphasize Native American