Reservation Blues

Why I chose this book: I’ve decided to read Reservation Blues, by Sherman Alexie for book report #3. I think that I will enjoy it because I have read another book by the same author called The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and I absolutely loved it. Not only does this book seem like a good fit for me, Sherman Alexie also happens to be a minority author which was part of the criteria for this assignment. Sherman grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation and many of his books shed light on the hardships that many Native Americans endure growing up on the “rez”. After reading reviews and researching the author, reading Reservation Blues sounded like an obvious choice. Predictions: The protagonist in Reservation Blues is a man named…

Reservation Blues A common theme in both “If 6 was 9” and Jimi Hendrix Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie, is those perceived to be different are denounced by others around them. This is seen by Coyote Springs, a Spokane band originating from the Northwest. As Coyote Springs struggles to rise into stardom, they face many challenges. Faced with exotification and exploration of their own culture as well as alienation from their own tribe, the band continues to push forth and create music on…

Teaching is very fundamental in order for people to survive. Everyone is taught by elder people who pass down crucial information to teach one how to cook, hunt, read, etc. The concept of learning is present in Reservation Blues. In the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Big Mom who is a spiritual leader that is a God-like figure. She can only be visited by special people invited to meet her. She uses her “magic” capabilities and says “Creator, help me. I have only a hundred…

Alcoholism is a vicious state which slowly kills the person it holds in its grip. Therefore, this drawing was used as a mode of expression to show the interplay between life, death, and alcohol. The head that overlooks what happens below is a culmination of many ideas that Reservation Blues has brought to light about alcoholism. The state of the head being half alive and half dead is an allusion to checkers referring to drunks as “brown-skinned zombies” (Alexie 99). The state of being controlled…

Even though they put up a fight, look where they are now. The Native Americans are a scattered population and race, lacking in self pride. Sherman Alexie’s novel, Reservation Blues, through its themes of alcoholism, Big Mom, and just that no one cares about the Native Americans, perpetuates the societal stereotypes endured by the Native Americans. Arguably Alexie’s biggest theme throughout the book, alcoholism is the cornerstone of daily life on the Spokane reservation. Escape was what alcohol…

The novel "Reservation Blues", written by, Sherman Alexie, portrays Native American culture ideas and spiritual beliefs through both music and a story of young Native American's trying to live life away from their reservations. In “Reservation Blues”, Alexie creates a better understanding of Native American way of life through magical realism such as Robert Johnson’s guitar, Big Mom, and the “Gentleman.” The elements magical realism not only give the reader a different aspect of the characters,…

Reservation Blues, written by Sherman Alexie, portrays the harsh reality of how many modern American Indians live today. Alexie utilizes history, cultural commodification and manhood to tell the story of a band who rose and fell from fame. Also by using these three subjects, Alexie is also able to show how Hollywood has been able to destroy the heritage of the American Indian. The bloody history between white men and the American Indians is based on betrayal and lies. Therefore, Alexie uses…

The reservation of Indian The reservation of Indian was filled of bloody at first. In the early 19th century, the United States was expanding territory. They hold the" go west", which triggered the conflict between new immigrants and the local Indians. In order to protect the new immigrants, at that time, the U.S. government established many so-called Indians "reservation", so a large number of Indians were rushed to the barren reservation. This so-called reservation is prisoner and even…

facilities and cruel treatment by the whites and the police force. There were even segregated hospitals, with poor healthcare for the black communities. According to some, the American Dream was “achieved at the expense of the American Negro” (Cambridge). Ta-Nehisi Coates, the author of Between the World and Me, discusses the idea of democracy and the American Dream and its impact on African Americans. The author displays an effective framework to better understand our nation’s history and…

In New Capitalists: Law, Politics, and Identity Surrounding Casino Gaming on Native American Land, Eve Darian-Smith dives in and explicitly discusses the contemporary social issue in regards to Indian versus non-Indian oppositions about the growth of Indian reservation casinos. She begins by explaining the ill treatment of Native Americans in the United States from the time when Columbus came to shore and proceeds to explain how this led to their handling and stereotyping by the non-Indian…