Indian Education
1. Quote
“I walked down the aisle, valedictorian of this farm town high school, my cap doesn’t fit because I’ve grown my hair longer than it’s ever been. Later, I stand as the school-board chairman recites my awards and accomplishments, and scholarships. I try to remain stoic for the photographers as I look towards the future. Back home on the reservation, my former classmates graduate: a few can’t read, one or two are just given diplomas, most look forward to the parties, the bright students are shaken, frightened because they don’t know what comes next. They smile for the photographer as they look back toward tradition. The tribal newspapers run my photograph and the photograph of my former classmates side by side.” (Page 4)
2. Dissection
Valedictorian - rewarded for having the highest academic achievements
Stoic - embarrassed for recognition
Can’t read - poor education on reservation
Future - excited for fresh start and opportunity
3. Analysis
In this quote, Sherman Alexie illustrates the disparity between the education of himself and his peers on the reservation. His future is filled with possibility and opportunity because he was given a better education. He is also rewarded for his accomplishments. He remarks on the fact that students on the reservation are only looking forward to the near future; one that is filled with parties and drinking. For the select few that did succeed within the reservation education system, the future is uncertain and it scares them. It is ironic that Alexie uses the term “look back towards” when discussing Indian traditions. These students have the future ahead of them but only refer back to the traditions of the past. For that reason, many won’t succeed beyond the confines of the reservations. He emphasizes this differentiation when he states that his photo is side by side with his former classmates.
1. Quote
“Last night I missed two free throws which would have won the game against the best team in the state. The farm town high school I played for is nicknamed the “Indians”, and I’m probably the only actual Indian ever to play for a team with such a mascot. This morning I pick up the sports page and read the headline: INDIANS LOSE AGAIN. Go ahead and tell me none of this is supposed to hurt me very much.” (Page 2)
2. Dissection
Mascot - irony
INDIANS LOSE AGAIN - literal meaning
Hurt me - showing emotion
3. Analysis
In this quote, Sherman Alexie evokes the feeling of disappointment and failed responsibility when he fails to win the basketball game for his school. He uses irony as the team’s mascot is an “Indian” and furthers this with the newspaper headline. In the literal sense, the Indians, as a school, lost the game. Alexie, however, shows the deep rooted shame and hurt of Victor as if the quote was specifically speaking about his responsibility for the loss. It might as well have read “The Indian lost again”. His vulnerability is exposed when he reads the headline “INDIANS LOSE AGAIN” and he is ashamed. In this moment, he admits that racial discrimination really hurts him and he can’t escape the torment.
“I walked down the aisle, valedictorian of this farm town high school, my cap doesn’t fit because I’ve grown my hair longer than it’s ever been. Later, I stand as the school-board chairman recites my awards and accomplishments, and scholarships. I try to remain stoic for the photographers as I look towards the future. Back home on the reservation, my former classmates graduate: a few can’t read, one or two are just given diplomas, most look forward to the parties, the bright students are shaken, frightened because they don’t know what comes next. They smile for the photographer as they look back toward tradition. The tribal newspapers run my photograph and the photograph of my former classmates side by side.” (Page 4)
2. Dissection
Valedictorian - rewarded for having the highest academic achievements
Stoic - embarrassed for recognition
Can’t read - poor education on reservation
Future - excited for fresh start and opportunity
3. Analysis
In this quote, Sherman Alexie illustrates the disparity between the education of himself and his peers on the reservation. His future is filled with possibility and opportunity because he was given a better education. He is also rewarded for his accomplishments. He remarks on the fact that students on the reservation are only looking forward to the near future; one that is filled with parties and drinking. For the select few that did succeed within the reservation education system, the future is uncertain and it scares them. It is ironic that Alexie uses the term “look back towards” when discussing Indian traditions. These students have the future ahead of them but only refer back to the traditions of the past. For that reason, many won’t succeed beyond the confines of the reservations. He emphasizes this differentiation when he states that his photo is side by side with his former classmates.
1. Quote
“Last night I missed two free throws which would have won the game against the best team in the state. The farm town high school I played for is nicknamed the “Indians”, and I’m probably the only actual Indian ever to play for a team with such a mascot. This morning I pick up the sports page and read the headline: INDIANS LOSE AGAIN. Go ahead and tell me none of this is supposed to hurt me very much.” (Page 2)
2. Dissection
Mascot - irony
INDIANS LOSE AGAIN - literal meaning
Hurt me - showing emotion
3. Analysis
In this quote, Sherman Alexie evokes the feeling of disappointment and failed responsibility when he fails to win the basketball game for his school. He uses irony as the team’s mascot is an “Indian” and furthers this with the newspaper headline. In the literal sense, the Indians, as a school, lost the game. Alexie, however, shows the deep rooted shame and hurt of Victor as if the quote was specifically speaking about his responsibility for the loss. It might as well have read “The Indian lost again”. His vulnerability is exposed when he reads the headline “INDIANS LOSE AGAIN” and he is ashamed. In this moment, he admits that racial discrimination really hurts him and he can’t escape the torment.