Motorcycle And Sweetgrass Analysis

1095 Words3 Pages

Motorcycles and Sweetgrass

The book Motorcycles and Sweetgrass by Drew Hayden Taylor is considered by many that it is one of the best Native American book ever made. This novel shows how people have to adapt to modern day living while still being like their ancestors. These characters are trying to stay true to the indigenous way. John uses dancing to maintain Ojibway tradition. Maggie eats things like Italian food and she needs someone like John to help her believe in Ojibway beliefs and tradition. Wayne uses a twist on martial arts and isolating himself on an island to live like his ancestors. In the Novel Motorcycles and Sweetgrass, John, Maggie, and Wayne all try to maintain their Aboriginal roots while adapting to modern day life.

John …show more content…

Using martial arts is a unique way of trying to connect back to his ancestors and be prideful about his culture. Many aboriginals are taught in residential schools that being First Nations is something to be ashamed of, but Wayne does not want to be ashamed: “Lillian spent long hours teaching the boy the intricacies of the Anishnawbe, so know he spoke it better than most seventy–year-olds” (150). Wayne is trying to live a more traditional life than his sister, but the world has become less and less traditional in its own way. By living on an island by himself, Wayne is trying to live off the land. He couldn’t do it on the reserve, but he can easily do it on the island. He is also spiritual like an aboriginal, and demonstrates this spirituality a couple times. One example of him doing this is “I know that she was contributing to what we call the circle of life. She passed on so that somewhere out there, a baby could be born in her place.” (187) She was clearly in tune with nature and spiritually, and I think that some of that passed on to Wayne. Wayne seems to understand that his mother was okay with dying, just so that a child could be born. In his eyes, it could not be stopped and a family with a young child would be made. His martial arts use a variety of animal tactics to be more tactful. “It took me a while, but I have based a style of fighting on each of the

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Keeper N Me By Richard Wagamese

    1545 Words  | 4 Pages

    Keeper’n Me, an award-winning book by Richard Wagamese, introduces an exclusive perspective into the way the Indigenous peoples see the world around them. The author gives his own unique narrative, partly based on his own experiences as an Ojibway hailing from the Wabaseemoong First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. In addition to writing Medicine Walk, Dream Wheels, Ragged Company, and Indian Horse, the 59-year-old author, born in 1955, has been recognized with numerous awards. Notably, Wagamese accepted the 2012 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media & Communications and the 2013 Canada Council on the Arts Molson Prize. More specifically, Keeper’n Me won the Alberta Writers Guild Best Novel Award. These awards, along with countless

    Read More

  • Analysis on three Day Road

    627 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel, Three Day Road, the three main characters, Elijah, Niska and Xavier are Cree Indians. They are Native Americans that do not rely on Europeans and make their living by hunting in the bush. They are maintaining their culture and identity after the the Europeans come as before. However, Elijah and Xavier are volunteering in the First World War. They are losing their identity gradually in ways of culture, status, power, thinking, beliefs, etc. Xavier and Niska try to maintain their culture but Elijah wants to get rid of it totally.

    Read More

  • Salish Culture In The Surrounded By D Arcy Mcnickle

    996 Words  | 2 Pages

    D 'Arcy McNickle, through his classic novel, The Surrounded, is able to articulate a clear and well informed account of the historic Salish culture and lifestyle while documenting the jarring transition of Native Americans from their traditional practices to an imposed legal system, conveying interesting characteristics of his personhood, and supporting an engaging and well-constructed plot. Through the incorporation of storytelling and the depiction of events, McNickle is able to highlight the tense interaction involving historic Native American traditions and the harsh reception they receive from the new American social and legislative systems. He is also able to incorporate his personality into the text, giving us a better sense of his character

    Read More

  • Sherman Alexie and Joy Harjo

    2029 Words  | 5 Pages

    It is well known that Native American cultures have been rich in oral traditions. Storytelling is but one aspect of that. Yet amongst the Native American poets covered in class there seem to be differing views of storytelling. Sherman Alexie looks at storytelling in "How To Write the Great American Novel" as that which has been stereotyped and mainstreamed into the dominant culture, while Joy Harjo seems to view storytelling in "Deer Dancer" as vital to the survival of culture. This essay will examine the storytelling aspects of both works.

    Read More

  • Effects of the French and Indian War on Diversified Groups in "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper

    1093 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Last of the Mohicans, by James Fenimore Cooper, describes the effects of the French and Indian War on a diversified group of people. Cooper describes the quest of three friends, Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Uncas, to deliver two young women, Cora and Alice, to their father. As they attempt to carry out this mission, the group encounters groups of Indians who interrupt and threaten their success. As the novel progresses, many characters’ virtues are put to the test, namely their loyalty. Throughout the novel, Cooper shows a character’s loyalty to be interwoven with their courage and steadfastness. The only characters who exhibit unwavering loyalty are those who show themselves to be both valiant and unfaltering.

    Read More

  • History and Relocation of Native Americans

    2304 Words  | 5 Pages

    The underlying theme is that throughout the hardships and adversity forced onto the Indians, they find a way trough the triumph of human spirit and it's own agency to emerge with their tribal identities intact, but one that is revered as an inspiration to all people striving through injustices and discrimination to endure and push forward for equality. I believe that so much can be learned from the history of the Indians and can serve as a template for the future of ow people of different cultures should be treated, because we can now look at the injustices that were committed against this group of people, and how we as people of the world can avoid repeating these kinds of practices from happening.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Storytelling In Native American Culture

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    A primary theme in Native American storytelling is a deep respect for the environment. In a society that is based upon sharing, each individual is keenly aware of his or her own responsibility, giving in equal value to what is received. Native Americans use storytelling to illustrate the mutual interdependence between tribal members and the natural resources that provide them

    Read More

  • Part-Time Indian

    315 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie is a book about an American Indian teenager named Arnold Spirit Jr. He lives on an Indian Reservation, but chooses to transfer to a ‘white’ school named Reardan. It is a decision that gets him a lot of attention, but not in a good way, as even his best friend becomes his worst enemy. One lesson this novel teaches us is that going through difficult moments in life can really help you figure out your identity.

    Read More

  • Brief Analysis Of Milkweed By Jerry Spinelli

    1177 Words  | 3 Pages

    Milkweed is a novel by the author Jerry Spinelli and was published in 2003 by HarperCollins Publishers. The novel follows an innocent boy who gets called Stopthief, Misha, Jack or Poppynoodle throughout the book. The story takes place in Warsaw, Poland during World War II. Misha’s age is not given in the novel but by reading you can tell that he is somewhere around nine years of age. It is no doubt that Misha was not quite like most boys his age. Misha was small, curious and clueless of the world around him and by that time he had stopped growing. Misha had experienced horrible things. He had an astounding imagination and was often clueless of the situation he was in, some which we think benefited him in the war and helped him keeping the right

    Read More

  • Lawn Tractor Research Paper

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this article you will find information about lawn tractors. Knowing the prices, various uses, and how to use this tool safely can help you make the knowledgeable decision about which lawn tractor is best for you and your uses.

    Read More

  • Lawn Mower Research Paper

    3140 Words  | 7 Pages

    All right. Here's yet another story about my lawnmower that, some might say, proves that I am not the most mechanically inclined individual that ever breathed air.That's a given. I'm not, and I know I'm not. In fact, I know so little about mechanical things that I don't even know enough to know how much I don't know. Honestly. I put the key in the ignition of my car and turn it. If the car doesn't start, it's broke. Simple as that. I'm not saying that I'm an idiot. I'm not. In fact, I'm really intelligent and knowledgeable...on selected topics. Ask me to write a story. No problem. Want me to give a business presentation in front of 500 people? Okay. Can I expound upon the genius and glories of Shakespeare? In my sleep! You'd like to

    Read More

  • The Preservation of Identity in Ceremony: Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony.

    1634 Words  | 4 Pages

    Change is threatening to the Native American people; the emergence of white society has shifted their world and brought ruin. They try to preserve their culture by rejecting white society but have instead made themselves stationary and unable to grow. Tayo’s hybridity, although rejected by many, revives the old traditions of storytelling and ceremonies. The identity of the Native American people is different now that it has meshed with white society. They are survivors of a war with themselves. “It seems like I already heard these stories before… only thing is, the names sound different” (Silko 260).

    Read More

  • American Indian Theme

    1127 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie demonstrates the life of a young, reservation boy who is trying to go above and beyond everyone’s expectations of how he is supposed to live his life. Arnold learns a lot about who he is and how it is possible to still be an Indian while being off the reservation. He wants hope and goes as far as leaving almost everything he knows behind to go find it. He chooses to live a life of opportunity and possibility. However, the road to these accomplishments are not easy. Arnold must go through death, pain, and suffering to get there. By reading the chronicles of his life, the reader becomes aware of certain themes that make the novel a uniquely Indian piece of literature. A few of

    Read More

  • Lawn Case Study

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    The problem with lawn care is simple, talking about water, mowers, gas, and fertilizers. Grass can be overwatered and over fertilized but when fertilized right and watered right can show amazing results. When it comes to grass soil has a big part of its growth if the soil is not collecting the right amount of nutrients in the grass will not grow. Soil isn’t the only problem with grass. Many people think that overwatering is okay but the process of overwatering a lawn can lead to the distribution of roots causing the lawn to be spaced out and spottier. Over fertilization can kill a lawn, and mowers can not only tear up a lawn but they can pollute the air as well. When done right lawns will be at their best but most of

    Read More

More about Motorcycle And Sweetgrass Analysis

Open Document