Reservation Blues Research Paper
Maria Emily Butler October 26, 2012
Mr. Kryder Period 5
Reservation Blues
“Magic does exist; you just have to know where to find it.” Gifted Chain’s quote relates to the book Reservation Blues, by Sherman Alexie. Magic is obscured, laced into life in unexpected ways. The extraordinary appearance of Robert Johnson on the Spokane Reservation inspires Thomas Builds-The-Fire, an Indian, to form the band, Coyote Springs, with fellow band mates, Junior, Victor, Chess, and Checkers. Magic is woven throughout the book, hidden behind lies, dreams, and music. The magic has a considerable impact on the lives of the characters.
They always teach you not to lie; that lying is bad, but that may not always be the case. Lies are a form of magic in themselves. They can shade you from truths you’re not ready to face. …show more content…
They worshiped dreams, presuming they could reveal glimpses into future events. Their lives revolved around dreams, and it was expected of Indians to listen to them. Their dreams, however, didn’t always lead them into the expected great future. Sometimes the visions only opened an intricate future. Chess dreamed of white soldiers and Indians. “The Indians gasped as the unpainted Indian fell to the ground” (85). Indians, by nature sing songs, tell stories, and dance. They find joy in life and come to peace with nature. Junior, on the other hand, always felt lonely and hopeless. In the end of the book he takes his emptiness as far as death. His explanation for ending his own life was, “Because when I closed my eyes like Thomas, I didn’t see a damn thing” (290). Junior was an unpainted Indian. He lacked the spirit and life other Indians possessed. Other Indians in his tribe, such as Thomas, were painted with life. Chess’s dream foreshadowed the death of the unpainted Indian. The magic in her dream showed a glance at what couldn’t be shown any other
Mr. Kryder Period 5
Reservation Blues
“Magic does exist; you just have to know where to find it.” Gifted Chain’s quote relates to the book Reservation Blues, by Sherman Alexie. Magic is obscured, laced into life in unexpected ways. The extraordinary appearance of Robert Johnson on the Spokane Reservation inspires Thomas Builds-The-Fire, an Indian, to form the band, Coyote Springs, with fellow band mates, Junior, Victor, Chess, and Checkers. Magic is woven throughout the book, hidden behind lies, dreams, and music. The magic has a considerable impact on the lives of the characters.
They always teach you not to lie; that lying is bad, but that may not always be the case. Lies are a form of magic in themselves. They can shade you from truths you’re not ready to face. …show more content…
They worshiped dreams, presuming they could reveal glimpses into future events. Their lives revolved around dreams, and it was expected of Indians to listen to them. Their dreams, however, didn’t always lead them into the expected great future. Sometimes the visions only opened an intricate future. Chess dreamed of white soldiers and Indians. “The Indians gasped as the unpainted Indian fell to the ground” (85). Indians, by nature sing songs, tell stories, and dance. They find joy in life and come to peace with nature. Junior, on the other hand, always felt lonely and hopeless. In the end of the book he takes his emptiness as far as death. His explanation for ending his own life was, “Because when I closed my eyes like Thomas, I didn’t see a damn thing” (290). Junior was an unpainted Indian. He lacked the spirit and life other Indians possessed. Other Indians in his tribe, such as Thomas, were painted with life. Chess’s dream foreshadowed the death of the unpainted Indian. The magic in her dream showed a glance at what couldn’t be shown any other