"What Sacagawea Means to Me" by Sherman Alexie
I thought that this piece was kind of brilliant. It brought so many truths to light, in my opinion. What was most interesting to me was the feel of the piece, which itself mirrored the essay's topic: contradiction. Alexie delves into American culture and colonization, and he also touches on the great and terrible things that our nation has done or endured because of contradictions. I say that the essay felt contradictory because he talks about serious, sometimes solemn topics but he manages to keep a humorous air about the piece, which I admired.
For example, Alexie rattles off several often forgotten members of the Louis and Clark journey, like a slave and several men who were unpaid and unmentioned historically. He then continues with an anecdote about a dog: "It's even the story of Seaman, the domesticated Newfoundland dog who must have been a welcome and friendly presence who survived the risk of becoming supper during one lean time or another" (135).
In all of the pain and suffering colonization and American culture in general has caused, it has also triumphed. Our nation and its people are a contradiction, and in the conclusion, Alexie brings the focus back in a very astute manner. He says that he is Sacagaewa; based on his heritage, he is innately a contradiction.
This piece was very short but very powerful and thought invoking for me. I recommend it.
This week I also read:
"Clean Slate" by Joanna McNaney
I can't remember who it was, but I swear someone else read this one and had a totally different response. Maybe not totally different, but they didn't like it. (I think, I can't remember specifically) So far I think when two of us read the same piece, we usually come to the same conclusion; I'm happy to read some 'contradictory' opinions.
ReplyDeletePatrick read it and he said he was familiar with the author so he wanted to see what someone else had to think of the essay. I thought I'd give it a go!
DeleteOh that's right! I remember, he was saying he couldn't really give an opinion without analysis. With that in mind, yes, I definitely like your unbiased take on it. I think your post actually goes really nicely with Patrick's.
DeleteGood stuff. Your second paragraph clinches it because it gives us an idea of that humor mixing with seriousness. Too many of us stop after the first paragraph without instructing the classmates and ourselves about the writing specifically.
ReplyDeleteWell done.
Dave
I'm glad you liked this! I probably agree with pretty much everything you say here now that I think about it, I just found it difficult to comment on an author whose style seemed so familiar to me based on past exposure to his other writings. Anyway, if you liked this, I would recommend his other work, which is very similar.
ReplyDelete