What You Pawn I Will Redeem Analysis

Words: 1021
Pages: 5
Open Document
Why We Root for Jackson in “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” In “What You Pawn I Will Redeem,” Sherman Alexie writes about the quirky misadventures of the humorous Jackson Jackson. When Jackson stumbles across his grandmother’s long-lost powwow regalia in the window of a Seattle pawnshop, the self-defined financially irresponsible Spokane Indian finds himself desperate for money to purchase the regalia from the pawnbroker. Jackson's determination to “win” his grandmother's regalia sets him on a quest to earn, beg, borrow or do whatever it takes to get the money. Jackson's inability to appreciate the kindness of others and his history of bad decisions should be reason enough for readers not to like him. Yet, somehow Jackson manages to win the hearts of readers. What is it about Jackson …show more content…
Although readers are never quite sure what to think of him, Jackson wins the readers with several interesting character traits. Jackson's thick-skinned attitude towards his misfortune is one interesting character traits that makes readers sympathize and eventually root for Jackson. Jackson has been homeless for six years and he prides himself on being good at it. He has proven to some “restaurant and convenience store clerks” to be “trustworthy enough to piss in somebody else's clean bathroom.” (3) Jackson Jackson tugs at the hearts of readers when he describes the way some people look at homeless Indians. “We're common and boring, and you walk right on by us, with maybe a look of anger or disgust or even sadness at the terrible fate of the noble savage.” (3) Jackson is right about people's reactions when they encounter a homeless person. Most times, we don't know what to say or do when we see homeless people. We wonder how someone could allow themselves to become homeless. We assume they are alcoholics, drug addicts or mentally ill. Perhaps, we are at a loss for words because the homeless represent
Show More

Related Documents: What You Pawn I Will Redeem Analysis

Analysis Of What You Pawn I Will Redeem

For our final week forum, I choose Jackson, who is the main character in the short story “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” by Sherman Alexie. Jackson is described as a penniless Indian residing in the city of Seattle, Washington. Reading the story, I would describe Jackson solely as “Friendship”. Throughout this short story there are parts where Jackson does a kind gesture and lends a hand and pays for complete strangers, in which he buys everyone a drink at the bar. "Five beverages for everybody!"(Alexie…

Words 446 - Pages 2

Unit 2 Essay

writing discusses specific interpretations of the text, but may not make the connection between the evidence from the text and the interpretations completely clear. Quotations used may be a longer and less precisely used, and may need more in-depth analysis. | The writing has a thesis and related key points supported by evidence. Logical arguments may be one-sided or incomplete, and evidence may not be clearly or thoroughly analyzed. The essay may show confusion concerning the events and characters…

Words 2184 - Pages 9

On the Waterfront and Father Barry Essay

Analysis of Major Characters Terry Malloy The brooding, inarticulate protagonist of On the Waterfront nurses a seething bundle of contradictory emotions for most of the film. Terry doesn’t particularly care about work and instead devotes his dreams, energy, and care to his racing pigeons. After being pushed around for too long, however, he realizes that his actions have definite, provable results. Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Terry is key to our understanding his character. Brando shuffles around…

Words 6128 - Pages 25