Sherman Alexie and N. Scott Momaday provided me with a new perspective on American Literature. When I think of American Literature, I think of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer, but not of the true Americans. What makes Alexie and Momaday's work unique is that they are a modern take on the culture of Native Americans. Most of the stories written about Native Americans take place during the early 1800s when Native American tribes were scattered to accommodate the colonists belief of manifest destiny but after that time not much has been written about Native Americans.
In Momaday's story, we can the end of the Kiowa and see that period of history from a more modern point of view. More than other cultures, the Native American culture has really aged. No longer is man satisfied with living with nature and wants to control it which makes it difficult for Native Americans to live as their ancestors did. Momaday's story illustrates this period of time where the rest of the world forced the native americans to change and his grandmother emphasizes their reluctance to let go of their heritage.
I really enjoyed Alexie's stories. Not only because of their wit but because I could relate to it. Alexie is torn between his Native American Culture and the American way just as I kind of fit in to the American Culture and the Indian Culture. It is interesting to see Native Americans in that kind of light and Alexie made it so that I could relate to them. Sherman Alexie also makes it really funny to read and is able to provide both an insider and outsider perspective on the modern state of Native Americans. Americans see Sherman Alexie as Native American while Native Americans see him as more Native American and Alexie uses this to his advantage. He is able to comment on the stereotype of Native Americans as alcoholics(which he shows is kind of true.) but is also able to make fun of those that discriminate against the Native Americans such as the 7-11 clerk.
These stories provide interesting views on Native Americans as Momaday and the stories of his grandmother provide the viewpoint of a Native American looking out on the world and Alexie conveys the tone of a Native American torn between cultures which allows me to see the situation in a new way rather than that of an outsider looking in.
In Momaday's story, we can the end of the Kiowa and see that period of history from a more modern point of view. More than other cultures, the Native American culture has really aged. No longer is man satisfied with living with nature and wants to control it which makes it difficult for Native Americans to live as their ancestors did. Momaday's story illustrates this period of time where the rest of the world forced the native americans to change and his grandmother emphasizes their reluctance to let go of their heritage.
I really enjoyed Alexie's stories. Not only because of their wit but because I could relate to it. Alexie is torn between his Native American Culture and the American way just as I kind of fit in to the American Culture and the Indian Culture. It is interesting to see Native Americans in that kind of light and Alexie made it so that I could relate to them. Sherman Alexie also makes it really funny to read and is able to provide both an insider and outsider perspective on the modern state of Native Americans. Americans see Sherman Alexie as Native American while Native Americans see him as more Native American and Alexie uses this to his advantage. He is able to comment on the stereotype of Native Americans as alcoholics(which he shows is kind of true.) but is also able to make fun of those that discriminate against the Native Americans such as the 7-11 clerk.
These stories provide interesting views on Native Americans as Momaday and the stories of his grandmother provide the viewpoint of a Native American looking out on the world and Alexie conveys the tone of a Native American torn between cultures which allows me to see the situation in a new way rather than that of an outsider looking in.
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