Indian Killer-Reader Response

Sherman Alexie's book, Indian Killer, is probalby one of the best books I've read. It is a very good fast paced, intense thriller. Alexie writes in a way that really draws you in. The reader is forced to think about prejudice and reflect on the ripples it produces in society. It touched on many issues on many different levels. It really brings to the surface the impact of the media in society and how a thread of hate and prejudice can bring about violence and even riots.
I think the ending leads you to think that it was John, but if you look into the ending more closely there are other things that were brought about in the book that make it possible that it could have been someone else. One point is the fact that in several instances, even when threatened, John was not really very violet throughout the book, just sort of lost. He refers to killing a white man(one)in the book for a purpose. He did not kill Wilson, only marked him to show what he was. Is there any significance then, that the man he killed was himself. The ending leaves an opening to the possibility that that the Indian Killer was even possibly Reggie. I think the ending includes the dialog with Marie for a reason; she states that John is not the Indian Killer. I think Alexie did this purposely to make the reader really think about who the Indian Killer is, the ceremony and reasons behind the killings. Reggie tells the story at the end about Captain Jack, how he killed 25 soldiers how he should have kept fighting and running instead of giving up. Reggie could be the Indian Killer moving on to a new area. At the end of the book, Marie states several times that John is not the Indian Killer. She brings up the “500 years” and the fact that “Indians are dancing now”. I think that “A Creation Story gives us a glimpse into the ceremonial part of it. The Indians response to hate and prejudice that they and other ethnic groups have endured for hundreds of years. It shows that different Indians will learn the ceremonies and continue to carry on the dance behind their masks as long as this prejudice exists, maybe forever.

Fear and Loathing

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is definitely not an easy to read book. The way the book is written, it is very hard to understand and makes one wonder why it gained so much attention. The reader gains very little positive or quality entertainment from reading it. On a good note, there is a little creativity and humor weaved throughout the story that helps make it more readable. The scene in the bathroom where the lawyer is asking him to throw the radio in at the height of the song is a little humorous. The way Hunter Thompson describes the scene with the lawyer's "eyes full of craziness" asking him to back the tape up again and Thompson trying to explain why he couldn't throw the radio in the tub. Thompson tries to explain how they'd question him, and the lawyer responds, "Bullshit!" he screamed. "Just tell them I wanted to get Higher!". It is so stupid and outrageous, that it is kind of funny. When the song, "White Rabbit" peaks, Thompson "lashed it into the tub like a cannonball." His style of writing is different, but at least in this section you understand what is going on and he describes it vividly. He uses graphic words and descriptions,"My attorney screamed crazily, thrashing around in the tub like a shark after meat, churning water all over the floor." The few creative passages similar to this one help the reader get through the drug induced craziness of the book. If this book is an example of how Hunter Thompson became famous, I think he only became famous because he had money and knew the right people.

What is the American Dream?

The American dream is different for every American. It is symbolic of fact that you can be whatever you want to be (within your power and within reason). It is the fact that any American is free to start a business of the own. Entrepreneurs are one example of the American Dream. The opportunity to be a NBA star, a movie star, a rock star and many other things fuel the American Dream.
In my Philosophy class I learned a very interesting fact that many people are not aware of. The Americans Dream is what keeps 95% of the population pacified by 5% of the population in the world owning the majority of the money. That 5% have to make sure that the rest of the population doesn’t get out of hand so they make sure the following takes place. The opportunity to get the house with the white picket fence, a family, a college education, a career, a boat, a camper, a vacation every year, sports and hobby equipment is what the average American desires. The process of acquiring these things keeps people busy and pacified while the very rich and movie stars own castles in England, etc. They accomplish this though media advertising; flooding Americans with new technology toys to keep people happy and stimulate the economy. Makes you think twice now, if you really want to buy that updated pricey phone!

The 21st quintessential American

The 21st quintessential American is highly adaptable in an ever-changing, technology based world. Most Americans are comfortable with computer generated procedures compared to the 20th century American. People were intimidated by the possibilities of mainframe computers and had only a glimpse of the power they held. The average 21st century American is computer literate and understands that technology requires continuous learning.
Children in the 21st century display great aptitude for learning computer based games and they communicate more with texting instead of calling like 20th century children used to do. Children also have more problems communicating now, due to the fact that texting doesn’t develop communication skills like talking face to face. People of the 20th century would have laughed at you if you would have told them that there would be very few pay phones left around the United States in the 21st century. Cell phones have eliminated the need for these artifacts.
Dating has become more distant for many 21st century Americans because frequent texting, web cams, and email don’t build much intimacy. One the other hand, these things have enhanced long distance relationships with friends and families by being able to send pictures and videos immediately to people overseas.
The 21st century American is probably a little spoiled from having everything faster and easier, whether it be fast food, internet shopping, electronic banking, printing pictures from digital cameras or ordering movies on demand or via internet. Americans have come a long way from using outhouses to modern day no-touch faucets and auto-flushing toilets that use motion sensors. Most 21st century Americans are patriotic, proud of all the luxuries found in the United States and still intent on living the American dream!