Shadow And The Buffalo Man Analysis
Through Shadow’s character, Gaiman illustrates the theme of faith which lays the foundation for the novel. The first time we experience this major theme is in the very beginning of the novel in Shadow’s dream where the buffalo man offers him the following advice:
“Believe,” said the rumbling voice. “If you are to survive, you must believe.”
“Believe what?” asked Shadow. “What should I believe?”…
“Everything,” roared the buffalo man. (p. 18)
This passage holds a very important significance as it captures the theme of the novel. There is a reason why it was introduced so early and not later. The buffalo man doesn’t merely offer this advice to make Shadow curious, nor does he offer it so that Shadow can expand his intellectual capacity or attain …show more content…
Shadow’s character needs to believe in gods, because this belief gives the gods power and life. Furthermore, the passage with the buffalo man also reflects American culture through Shadow’s character. This character is fully fleshed out later in the novel by the prevalent usage of the expression “this land [America] is no place for Gods” (p. 217). America is no place for gods because Americans no longer believe in them, just like Shadow who didn’t believe in them when the novel started. Americans do, however, believe in the latest emerging technology, the media, the transportation, and other innovations. These new innovations are portrayed by Gaiman as the new gods. As mentioned earlier, in the beginning of the novel, Gaiman revealed “Shadow was not superstitious. He did not believe anything he could not see” (p. 6). This quote is a parallel that demonstrates how Americans do not believe in myths. Even after meeting the gods, Shadow was still skeptical of them. Indeed, this skepticism also is a characteristic of American thinking. In brief, through Shadow’s character, Gaiman explores the theme of faith to illustrate how the American people have moved from spiritual devotion to more materialistic
“Believe,” said the rumbling voice. “If you are to survive, you must believe.”
“Believe what?” asked Shadow. “What should I believe?”…
“Everything,” roared the buffalo man. (p. 18)
This passage holds a very important significance as it captures the theme of the novel. There is a reason why it was introduced so early and not later. The buffalo man doesn’t merely offer this advice to make Shadow curious, nor does he offer it so that Shadow can expand his intellectual capacity or attain …show more content…
Shadow’s character needs to believe in gods, because this belief gives the gods power and life. Furthermore, the passage with the buffalo man also reflects American culture through Shadow’s character. This character is fully fleshed out later in the novel by the prevalent usage of the expression “this land [America] is no place for Gods” (p. 217). America is no place for gods because Americans no longer believe in them, just like Shadow who didn’t believe in them when the novel started. Americans do, however, believe in the latest emerging technology, the media, the transportation, and other innovations. These new innovations are portrayed by Gaiman as the new gods. As mentioned earlier, in the beginning of the novel, Gaiman revealed “Shadow was not superstitious. He did not believe anything he could not see” (p. 6). This quote is a parallel that demonstrates how Americans do not believe in myths. Even after meeting the gods, Shadow was still skeptical of them. Indeed, this skepticism also is a characteristic of American thinking. In brief, through Shadow’s character, Gaiman explores the theme of faith to illustrate how the American people have moved from spiritual devotion to more materialistic