Reader: Jennifer Condado

Respondent: Chanda Clay

“VISION (2)” BY Sherman Alexie

 ( pg. 66)

Objectives:  

1b: Voiceless and Choiceless ( Although the Indians already lived in America, they were forced to give up their country to the Anglo because they couldn’t hear their voice)

3b: “Loss and Survival” (“my tribe escaped”)

Definition:

                        Allusion-  – An indirect reference to a person, event, statement, or theme found in literature, the other arts, history, myths, religion, or popular culture. The author uses them to enrich meaning or broaden the impact of a statement. pg. 11 of the Bedford Glossary

Interpretation:

            The poem is about how America is viewed by the American Indians, which differs from the dominant culture. Alexie makes emphasis on why the celebration of Christopher Columbus in finding America seems invalid and tells his side of the story. He concludes by describing the place that American Indians now have towards their land. Sonya Deal from the class of 2000 stated, “ This poem is expressing that there are many illusions or rather certain perspectives existing in the U.S. and that the ignored perspective or voice needs to be recognized and heard for all to consider.”

Questions:

1. Any suggestion of the title of the poem?

2. Why does Alexie state ” Then, again, who am I to talk?”  

3. How does Alexie feel about the past his people went through. Is he resentful or is he simply remembering and looking toward the future?