The aim of this paper is to look into the use of violence in this novel from the different perspectives of whites, Indians and the killer. Furthermore this paper will analyse the different dimensions of violent acts and it will reveal why it is highly important to demonstrate why violence is depicted as inevitable.
The novel written by Sherman Alexie, who is a Spokane-Coeur d’Alene and therefore commiserates with the Indian community, has often been criticised for its strikingly violent content. However, the message the novel sends can be different according to how one reads the novel. For some the novel sends the message that violence is inevitable to pursue ones beliefs and that the novel advocates terrorism. For others the novel only highlights the importance of frustration and anger coming from racism through the use of violence. There have already been several theories as of why there is so much violence in the novel. Skow calls the destroying anger and despair in the book "septic with … [an] unappeasable fury". His often-cited opinion suggests that Alexie, as a member of the Indian community, forms his own suppressed rage into a narrative. Hence, Alexie’s own heritage is the reason for the novel’s immense amount of cruelty. In Skow’s opinion, the use of violence in the novel comes from the author’s own feelings towards his ancestry and therefore justifies the crimes of the Indians against the whites. As for the brutality of white people against innocent Native Americans, Skow suggests, that it would only highlight Alexie’s own point of view. The reader would rather sympathize with the Indians than with the whites although both are equally brutal in pursuing their beliefs. On the other hand, another criticiser of the novel, Arnold Krupat, suggests a kind of ruthless and aggressive “Red Nationalism”.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Critical Perspectives on Violence in Indian Killer
3. Violent Acts and Their Origins
4. Media Influence and Social Racism
5. The Killer's Perspective and Symbolic Function
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the use of violence in Sherman Alexie’s novel Indian Killer, investigating how violent acts are portrayed as inevitable consequences of suppressed rage and cultural conflict between white and Native American populations.
- The cycle of violence driven by vengeance and frustration
- The role of systemic racism and media influence in inciting brutality
- The psychological impact of lost cultural heritage and identity
- Differing critical interpretations of violence as a "creative tool" versus a destructive force
- The symbolic function of the nameless "Indian Killer" within the narrative
Excerpt from the Book
The first violent act in the novel starts at the very beginning when John is taken from his birthmother and adopted by white people.
Later in the novel, when the kidnapped boy’s mother is interviewed after Mark Jones got taken away from his bed, she asks “… what kind of monster do you think would take somebody’s child?” (169). Even though she does not talk about the first kidnapping in the novel there is a striking connection between the two actions. Mrs. Jones implies that only monsters would take somebody’s child, which leads to the thought that whites must be monsters for taking away baby John. This very unjust and violent act is the beginning of a series of brutal acts.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: Outlines the central theme of violence in Sherman Alexie's Indian Killer and establishes the aim to analyze it from multiple perspectives.
2. Critical Perspectives on Violence in Indian Killer: Discusses various academic opinions, such as those of Skow and Krupat, regarding whether the novel justifies violence or depicts it as a destructive consequence of rage.
3. Violent Acts and Their Origins: Analyzes the roots of physical and mental violence, specifically focusing on the initial kidnapping of John and how it leads to further brutal actions.
4. Media Influence and Social Racism: Explores how media figures like Truck Schultz incite racism and violence, demonstrating the transition of individual anger into collective brutality.
5. The Killer's Perspective and Symbolic Function: Examines the nameless killer as a symbol for the collected rage of a race and as a mirror for the crimes of colonization.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes that violence is depicted as ineffective and destructive, failing to bring peace or change circumstances for either the white or Native American communities.
Keywords
Sherman Alexie, Indian Killer, violence, racism, Native Americans, rage, cultural heritage, hybridization, vengeance, collective anger, media, identity, critical theory, social conflict, colonialism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the portrayal and function of violence in Sherman Alexie’s novel Indian Killer, arguing that the narrative demonstrates the futility and destructive nature of violent acts.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include systemic racism, the cycle of vengeance, the loss of cultural identity, the role of the media in inflaming social tensions, and the impact of colonization.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze why violence is depicted as inevitable in the novel and to determine if the author frames violence as a constructive force or a morally indefensible outcome.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author uses a qualitative, text-based analytical approach, incorporating literary criticism from scholars like Skow, Krupat, and Mariani to interpret the novel's themes.
What does the main body of the text cover?
It covers the roots of violence in the novel, the influence of talk-show hosts on public racism, the role of specific characters as "doppelgangers" of hate, and the symbolic meaning of the "Indian Killer."
How are the keywords characterized?
The keywords highlight the intersection of literary analysis, historical trauma, and sociological issues like racism and identity politics within the American novel.
How does the author analyze the "Indian Killer" character?
The author suggests the character lacks a political agenda and identity, acting instead as a vessel for the collective rage of Native Americans and a mirror to the crimes of colonization.
What is the significance of the "Creation Story" chapter mentioned in the analysis?
The author notes that this chapter signifies the transition from individual to collective action, where the killer's rituals reflect the lingering memories of racial encounters.
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- Sarah Kunz (Autor:in), 2016, Expressing Rage. The Use of Violence in Sherman Alexie’s Novel "Indian Killer", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368597
