In class Friday we will watch a 53-minute talk by Sherman Alexie at Rutgers University-Newark in 2001. He talked about everything from literature to sports mascots, the "commodification" of Native American art, the state of American society, what and why and how he writes. We will have to begin screening immediately in order to fit it all in, so I have made out some questions to help you focus on themes that will appear on the final exam. Please answer them on the back of the question sheet and turn it in at the end of the hour. I'll return it to you before finals.
1. What does Alexie say about his life as a writer (including movie screenplays)? Listen for him to say why he writes, what kinds of things he writes about (and why), how his own life experiences are reflected in his writing. What does he want his readers (or movie audiences) to experience? What's his message?
2. Alexie's mother was Spokane Indian, and his father was Coeur d-Alene. How is his Native American background reflected in his writing? In his views on society? Wpould you say he's a Native American writer or a writer who happens to be Native American?
3. How do you, as a white or black American, react to what he says. If you have Native heritage in your family, does that affect the way you feel about him? If not, does that affect the way you feel? How many of his themes -- or other things he talks about -- affect you as a reader or listener? In your opinion, is he talking about American Indians or human nature?
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