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.
I like how you mentioned Alexies purposeful usage of the white man meaning one. I think Alexie did this to indicate that John’s hatred was for the race as a whole was a bit unstable and maybe he only partially hated Wilson for his white blood and didn’t kill him for his Indian blood. It is twisted that he then killed himself in the end. Could it be because he felt he wasn’t a true Indian and that he was simply Indian on the surface, like when he said his skin was his mask, and that he was white on the inside. So did John hate himself for not being a true Indian at heart as well as an Indian on the outside??
ReplyDeleteI believe that John is not the killer. He may have been schizophrenic however, the author made a point to have one of the characters state that schizophrenics usually do more harm to themselves than to other people. I believe that this was foreshadowing an ending in which John was not the killer. I don't think that Reggie was the Indian Killer either. He seems to be the more likely candidate but he is much smarter than the actual killer. His thoughts are that of an abused young adult and his actions were violent but with the backup of friends. He would not be so brave alone. Whereas the killers thoughts and actions are that of a crazy serial killer with a vendetta.
ReplyDeleteI think the endless speculation of who the killer is, is exactly what Alexie wanted. Although I feel that these efforts to pin down who it is, is a fruitless effort. The killer does not have an identity, he is not a character in the book. I believe he is a spirit or some mysterious supernatural force of nature that is meant to stir up the racial tension. To create chaos. That is the killer's only motive, whoever or whatever he may be.
ReplyDeleteI think the Marie interview at the end of the story is telling as well. It is a big F-you to the people in the story who disnt understand what the Indian Killer was really doing. Sure he/she was murdering people but the murders were fueled by 500 years of hatred. Indians that care will pick up where there elders left off. It was like you wrote, that other Indians will learn the ceremonies and the dances. The book is about bringing that awarness to the eye of the common man that doesnt understand the motives of the Indian Killer.
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