What You Pawn I Will Redeem Analysis

Mary is a flat character in “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”. In the story she does not have an internal conflict, but she has a man versus man conflict with Jackson. Jackson Jackson sees Mary as family, but Mary doesn't see Jackson that same way. This conflict is seen when Jackson Jackson attempts to share his winning lottery ticket money with Mary, “When you win, you’re supposed to share with your family” (Alexie 18). Mary responds with, “I’m not your family” (Alexie). At the end of their minor argument in the store Mary accepted Jackson’s money, and that brought resolution to the conflict. By keeping the money she accepted Jackson’s take on what someone should do with their winnings. Mary is a stereotypical character as a store

clerk because she is keeping her relationship with Jackson at a distance. She is also part of a stereotype that certain cultural groups, such as Koreans, move into a neighborhood, buy a business , and then only hire their own family to work in that business. Mary is a static character because she did not show any change throughout the story. She also lacks complexity and seems to be a simple character in the story.