After Reading Blog

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     Sherman Alexie did a great job at making important themes such as the perpetual affect of post-colonialism on colonized people such as the Native Americans. Exposing adolescent's to complex studies and intense literature on how these people groups are effected by the devastation of culture and land does not convey in an emotional or sympathetic was that teens can understand. However, by connecting reader's to a sympathetic character, and letting the readers experience Juniors hardships in dealing with systemic poverty and racism open an effective avenue for young people to experience. It is the readers pity and sadness for not only Junior, but the entire Rez and people as a whole that educates and inspires teens to learn and think more on the oppression of an entire group of people.
      The true empathy for the real world struggles these people face are most notable when you learn that "78%" of the story is based around Alexie's true experience. This illuminates the reality of whats happening. I truly think that this fact about the novel should be said in the preface and on the cover. It is one thing to feel pity for a character like Junior who endures so much, but when you learn that its based and revolved around a real world problem, your appreciation for the work as a whole is so much more intense. 
     In the article below, Alexie discusses the non-fiction that is woven with the fictional parts of the plot. Rowdy who plays a major roll in the book captures the product of what this life surrounded by poverty, alcoholism, and abuse creates. Rowdy's rough character was based on a true childhood friend who recently died in a car accident. This one example of reality within the book, that was not just an entertaining story that Alexie dreamed up to make a good story, shows how truly bad the situation is for the people all across our country living on reservations that are stricken with oppression. 

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