Of Sherman Alexie's 'The Joy Of Reading And Writing: Superman And Me'

Triumph over Constraint
“Superman broke down the door,” Sherman Alexie’s metaphor just as he broke through adversity. Internal and external expectations are a basis of identity and how we each perceive ourselves. In Alexie’s writing, “The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me,” he describes finding his identity through his struggles as he excelled academically obtaining his unique view on the world and facing many stereotypes. As a young boy expected to maintain limited intelligence and accept the standard of ignorance, he was able to surpass limitations while “viewing his world in paragraphs.” While sharing a love of reading with his father he overcame his expected limitations on his reservation. The struggles he endured allowed him to give back to the community he grew with after becoming an adult.
Alexie struggled at a young age while excelling in academics well beyond what any young child is capable. Finding a love for
Describing his surprise is becoming a writer and originally wanting to be a pediatrician (30) he now uses his writing to help his community. Alexie overcame not only his local traditional low expectations as a child but now he visits the same schools and teaches kids creative writing on his reservation. Even today kids in rural areas are not taught how to write poetry or stories and are still held to this low standard. Alexie is a changing wave to raise the standards for these kids so they now longer fall victim to stereotypes of what they should be and can instead follow big dreams. I myself almost fell victim to low expectations, but as I aged I learned my potential. While everyone expected me to fail, I have succeeded. This should be the expectation for all. Books can dramatically change lives “throwing my weight against locked doors” (30). As he teaches these kids he is creating a new identity for them. Alexie continues to break down doors for others the same way he taught