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Alcoholism In Sherman Alexie's Reservation Blues

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A Drunken Future
First come, first served. The Native Americans were clearly not aware of this phrase. They were the first people to call America home but were booted out of their land. Even though they put up a fight, look where they are now. The Native Americans are a scattered population and race, lacking in self pride. Sherman Alexie’s novel, Reservation Blues, through its themes of alcoholism, Big Mom, and just that no one cares about the Native Americans, perpetuates the societal stereotypes endured by the Native Americans. Arguably Alexie’s biggest theme throughout the book, alcoholism is the cornerstone of daily life on the Spokane reservation. Escape was what alcohol represented to the Natives. It provided a reason for them to be mediocre and to not achieve anything in life, or just not be there for others. I think alcohol can be linked to the downfall of the Native Americans and certainly can be linked to them losing their land. A common conception of reservation life is that it is depressing. The residents use alcohol as a means to escape, thus leading to alcoholism being a …show more content…
Some readers might think that Big Mom plays the role of God on the reservation, however, I think she is just a big Indian lady that the townsfolk places false hope in. Big Mom is described as being a “huge woman… thick and heavy” (202) who wore a stereotypical buckskin outfit. They look to her to transcend the town when they should be looking towards the youth because they are the future and need to get the reservation out of this decadence. However, the elders do not set good examples for the youth which does not set the youth up for success. Without success and someone taking pride in who and what they embody, they will never grow out of this cycle that is the stereotype of the Native

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