Im A Mad Dog Bite Myself For Sympathy Analysis
We are a blend of family, friends, lovers, and lack their affection. The narrator in Louise Erdrich’s “I’m a Mad Dog Biting Myself for Sympathy” agrees. “Who I am is just the habit of what I always was, and who I’ll be is the result” (127). We truly are a creation of our environment. Some of us are just luckier than others.
The narrator is doubtful, and brave. He’s lived a hard, neglectful life and now he is deeply scarred emotionally. In brief moments of revealing his sensitivity, the narrator implies, “My parents. It’s not like I hate them or anything. I just can’t see them. I can close my eyes and form my sister’s face behind my eyelids, but not my parents’ faces. Where their eyes should meet mine, nothing” (128). His distant relationship …show more content…
Though, Erdrich’s involvement with the toucan is intentional. In the story, we learn that Erdrich is part Chippewa, and in the tradition of many Native American groups, various totems are used as symbols. In this case, the toucan/bird totem explains the narrator’s choice to steal. According to the totem, the toucan represents communication and showmanship. Its colorful appearance and large bill indicates a strong desire to be seen and heard. The toucan may appear when you are craving attention.
The stolen toucan is the narrator’s desperate request to be seen and heard; his craving for attention and his drama. Poor communication is his most accustomed means of expression. For him, it is a routine to create problems for himself. Without drama, he has no means to act and react.
Mason Joseph Andrews, the baby, is also important. He’s innocent and when compared against the narrator, the similarities are Good versus Evil. “I have never seen a child this little before, so small that it is not a child yet. Its face is tiny and dark, almost reddish, or copper, and its fingers, splayed out against its cheeks, are the feet of a sparrow” (130). Again, imagery is being used. Sparrows teach self-confidence, and strive people to make good choices. Mason’s presence is seeming to inspire and guide Erdrich’s – a positivity
The narrator is doubtful, and brave. He’s lived a hard, neglectful life and now he is deeply scarred emotionally. In brief moments of revealing his sensitivity, the narrator implies, “My parents. It’s not like I hate them or anything. I just can’t see them. I can close my eyes and form my sister’s face behind my eyelids, but not my parents’ faces. Where their eyes should meet mine, nothing” (128). His distant relationship …show more content…
Though, Erdrich’s involvement with the toucan is intentional. In the story, we learn that Erdrich is part Chippewa, and in the tradition of many Native American groups, various totems are used as symbols. In this case, the toucan/bird totem explains the narrator’s choice to steal. According to the totem, the toucan represents communication and showmanship. Its colorful appearance and large bill indicates a strong desire to be seen and heard. The toucan may appear when you are craving attention.
The stolen toucan is the narrator’s desperate request to be seen and heard; his craving for attention and his drama. Poor communication is his most accustomed means of expression. For him, it is a routine to create problems for himself. Without drama, he has no means to act and react.
Mason Joseph Andrews, the baby, is also important. He’s innocent and when compared against the narrator, the similarities are Good versus Evil. “I have never seen a child this little before, so small that it is not a child yet. Its face is tiny and dark, almost reddish, or copper, and its fingers, splayed out against its cheeks, are the feet of a sparrow” (130). Again, imagery is being used. Sparrows teach self-confidence, and strive people to make good choices. Mason’s presence is seeming to inspire and guide Erdrich’s – a positivity