Sherman Alexie Indian Education Analysis

Words: 1481
Pages: 6
Open Document
“Breaking the Shackles of the Indian Education System” I’ve always understood education as a system of knowledge learning during which I master the language, form a logical mind, and gain insights into the world. I consider education a necessity to personal success, since it has always been the case: throughout history only nobles received proper education, thus education is a representation of power. The present time people with higher degrees are likely to acquire more achievements, as well as resources, so education is the stepping stone to opportunity and wealth. Nevertheless, Sherman Alexie’s “Indian Education” demonstrates a different scenario. In his personal account of his early school years, Alexie articulates his experience …show more content…
Rich states that women should have “the courage to be ‘different’” (299), which means to insist on realizing a meaningful life instead of “marrying early… getting pregnant… bluffing at school and life,… and sell [their] talents and aspirations short” (Rich 299), though it they might receive pressure from society. Being different indicates that women must “[take] responsibilities to [them]selves,” challenging themselves whenever it’s necessary, just as Alexie chose to fight back when he was bullied by other Indian kids. The result of his rebellious act was victory and the end of bullying. From this experience he learned that being different gives him power, along with the change of his identity to a “warrior” (Alexie 372). In “Claiming an Education,” Rich argues that people should not “fall for shallow and easy solutions” (299), suggesting that they should always aim for a better life. This idea corresponds to Alexie’s transition to the white junior high at the farm town, by which he obtains the opportunity for a improved education, though he is the only Indian that leaves the reservation and went to the world that dominated by white people, yet it takes great courage to step out of the comfort zone. Alexis’s childhood experience teaches him the significance of courage, hence this education allows him to challenge himself when he grows up. Under the influence of education, Alexie becomes a “part-time” Indian, an Indian outside the Indian community, and because of this, he is able to step out of the broken education
Show More

Related Documents: Sherman Alexie Indian Education Analysis

Indian Education Sherman Alexie Analysis

short story, “Indian Education,” Native American writer Sherman Alexie shares with us the story of a young boy’s upbringing on an Indian reservation. Victor goes to school on a reservation Were he is bullied constantly by other Indian classmates. “Just Indians being Indians” the headlines would say whenever something happened reservation grounds, regardless if the person was Indian or not. In Eight Grade Victor decides to attend an all-white high school outside of his reservation. Alexie gives us insight…

Words 435 - Pages 2

Native American Stereotypes Essay

American Indians and Alaska Natives made up about 2 percent of the total population in 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The lack of accurate representation is heightened by the fact that the average U.S. resident experiences nearly no direct, daily interaction with Native Americans. Only 14 states have American Indian populations that exceed 100,000 people. According to the Native American Aid program, about…

Words 1847 - Pages 8

Sherman Alexie's Indian Education

In Depth Analysis of Sherman Alexie's, Indian Education Every short story has their own way to hook the reader’s attention. However, how exactly does the author make this happen? In Indian Education, the story follows Victor from first grade through high school and his experiences he has throughout his school year being a Native American and is fast-paced which contains only the most potent moments from Victor’s youth, which shows where he gets his "education". The structure of the plot is well written…

Words 1366 - Pages 6

Essay on Ashley Peacock 582 Final

of Identity, Racism, and Mortality: An Analysis of Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie is the jack of all trades—he makes films, writes poetry, and pens novel after novel. Published in 2007, Alexie shifts to young adult literature to offer an autobiographical depiction of reservation life that he describes as both bleak and hopeful, yet heartrending and uplifting. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a coming of age story written in first…

Words 1744 - Pages 7

Native American Stereotypes

perceived to be. The essays of Sherman Alexie and Victor Villanueva address what it’s like to be part of a stereotyped minority, while Jacqueline Jones Royster addresses how to overcome these stereotypes. Each of these authors describes the experience of being a minority in the United States, but what makes them unique is…

Words 1071 - Pages 5

Constitution Analysis Essay

Constitution Analysis The United States Constitution is a document that is over 200 years old which is still being put into practice within the United States of America. Its main goal is to set up a government where the people weren't controlled and had a voice by the actions being taken within the government. If something wanted to be changed an Amendment could be made which is an addition to the constitution that set up new laws for the changing times. There are a total of 27 Amendments which…

Words 836 - Pages 4