What You Pawn I Will Redeem Analysis

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What’s the proper way to react to seeing a homeless person on the street? To ignore them and keep walking, to talk to them, to give them money? In “What You Pawn I Will Redeem,” a short story by American Indian author Sherman Alexie, main character Jackson Jackson is a homeless Spokane Indian living in Washington state. He panhandles for money, spending it on alcohol and food, all while trying to earn enough to buy his grandmother’s powwow regalia from a local pawn shop. Jackson’s behavior under the influence of alcohol illustrates how his alcoholism separates him from society as a homeless person, as he can’t stay sober long enough to support himself financially or to form long lasting social relationships. In the beginning, Jackson examines

Righteous Dopefiend by Jeoffrey Shchonberg and Phillipe Bourgois
745 Words | 2 Pages
Since homeless people are not new to the United States we already have this stigma towards them along with drug users. One of the challenges that Bourgois and Schonberg have to face is practicing cultural relativism. As easy as it may be for them they must not pass judgment on the Edgewater Homeless because everything that they do is relative to the ...
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Analysis Of What You Pawn I Will Redeem
538 Words | 2 Pages
“What you pawn I will redeem” is a story written by Sherman Alexie. The story takes place in Seattle, Washington and follows the homeless native american named Jackson Jackson on his journey to obtain his grandmothers regalia that was stolen 50 years ago. He finds the regalia in a pawnshop and spends the rest of the story doing many different things in attempt to make enough money so that he can purchase it back. Throughout the story the author uses Jacksons humor and like-ability to do impressive job of tricking the reader into feeling compassion for Jackson. But when you take a deeper you look into the story, it reveals that in the end Jackson is just a tricky homeless alcoholic.
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A Critical Analysis Of The Untouchables By Jonathan Kozol
1071 Words | 3 Pages
They are automatically prejudged and looked at as being dirty and having diseases. According to the story “Authorities were forced to justify this action by declaring them, in the words of the city council, ‘a threat to public safety.’”(Jonathan 277). The homeless are assumed to be a threat because they have no where to take a bath and have no where to go if they do get sick. Since authorities have put this thought in American’s heads we now watch that we do not touch them when giving out change. Jonathan explains how he, himself responds to the homeless when it comes to touching them; prejudging them also. “Every so often, someone stops to put a coin into his hand. I noticed the care with which the people drop their coins, in order that their hands do not touch his. When I pass that spot some hours later he will still be there. I’ll do the same” (Jonathan 276). The fact that people watch the order in how they drop the coins coveys that they are dirty and if they touch the homeless they too will become dirty. Jonathan explains to us that they are sparingly viewed as “trash,” because Government officials makes society feel and encourages the thought of them being
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Keeper N Me Analysis
1154 Words | 3 Pages
Muhammad Ali once said, “The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” Ali figured this out for himself as he was born into a black community by the name of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr, growing up he realised who he wanted to be, a Muslim by the name Muhammad Ali. A lot of people discover who they are all the time nowadays, the importance of self discovery now is very high as people are unaware of who they really are throughout a portion of their life. In Richard Wagamese’s, Keeper ‘N me, he demonstrates the importance of the journey one must take on their path of self-discovery. Wagamese demonstrates the importance on the journey one must take on their path of self-discovery using the
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What You Pawn I Will Redeem
1627 Words | 4 Pages
Interpretive and escapist are two types of literature present in Sherman Alexie’s “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”. Escapist is written for people who seek a distraction or relief from reality. Interpretive is written to make people understand questions of life and death. Sherman Alexie conveys his story through plot and conflict in “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” to show interpretive and escapist aspects in the story.
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Stereotypes Of Native Americans In 'What You Pawn I Will Redeem'
1091 Words | 3 Pages
In the short story “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”, Sherman Alexie uses the two most well known stereotypes of Native Americans today, that they are alcoholics and homeless. These are more modern day stereotypes but they fall under the the main stereotype, that Native Americans are helpless and uncivilized. Alexie’s short story focuses on a character named Jackson Jackson, who happens to be both homeless and an alcoholic. Jackson is walking past a pawn shop when he notices his grandmother’s regalia that was stolen from his family fifty years ago. The owner of the pawn shop gives Jackson twenty-four hours to come up with the money for the regalia. The story takes us throughout his journey which consist mostly of Jackson buying alcohol, food, and even some lottery tickets. Jackson would acquire money through a variety of situations right after getting money he ended
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Homelessness: A Community Problem
1709 Words | 4 Pages
Kenyon, Thomas. L. What you can do to help the homeless. New York: Simon & Schuster. 1991. Print.
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Eye Contact For Homeless People
1077 Words | 3 Pages
People tend to believe that homeless individuals will beg for money, only to spend it on drugs. Contrary to this, however, statistics prove otherwise. According to a recent survey across the United States, “94% of panhandlers”, or commonly known as the homeless, use the money that they receive to solely “purchase the food that they need” (Gaille). People who follow the folkway of avoiding eye contact need to understand that their donations are often for beneficial use. They also need to understand that avoiding eye contact is a means of ignorance.
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A Day at The Beacon in Houston
1152 Words | 3 Pages
...on the homeless community. I previously held preconceived notions that the homeless consisted of people who were either unable to connect and form relationships with others or didn’t desire to do so. Yet, I observed most everyone greeting one another and reminiscing with those who have been absent from the community for a while, as well as, expressing concern for those missing. I recognized that the homeless may live in a non-traditional way, but they have established their own communities and are successful in forming and maintaining cohesive relationships.
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Brother Don T Spare A Dime Summary
737 Words | 2 Pages
In “Brother, Don’t Spare a Dime,” L. Christopher Awalt says that homeless people are homeless on their own accord. He believes “many of them seem to have chosen the lifestyles they lead” (Awalt))).. This article states that most homeless people would prefer to escape responsibility rather than fix their social and economic problems. Awalt uses an example of a man who had been on the streets for about 10 years. He provided this man with resources to improve his life and within four months he was making progress. By the sixth month the man had checked himself out of the hospital and was back on the streets drunk again. Awalt does show a few people are the victims of tragic circumstances and will bounce back in a short period of time. Awalt believes homeless people have become dangerous to the public, and they do not deserve our money to help them out of their predicament. We do not agree with Awalt’s assumption that the majority of the homeless people in the United States are there because of their lack of responsibility. There are many causes of homelessness that cannot be avoided, and the majority of the people that become homeless will not be on the streets for long.
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Keeper N Me Analysis
663 Words | 2 Pages
The United Nations (UN) celebrates International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21 each year. The topic is covered by Richard Wagamese in his novel Keeper n’ me. The three themes are the significance of tradition, the importance of a family, and the positive impact of living close to nature.
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Analysis Of On Compassion
887 Words | 2 Pages
Statistically, over 670,000 Americans are homeless with a growing number. 48 million people go to bed hungry every night. Although we do provide shelters and opportunities in America, millions of people are homeless worldwide. Even on a more minor level there are still hundreds homeless within hometowns. Everyday we encounter the homeless whether by seeing them holding their personal signs at stoplights, confronts with beggars, or viewing them from afar under bridges. In her essay titled “On Compassion”, writer Barbara Ascher uses rhetorical techniques detailing some of her personal homeless experiences within the city life, Asher does effectively use logos, pathos,
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Homeless In America Essay
1583 Words | 4 Pages
Homeless individuals are known for taking hand outs and they prefer to plead for money rather than to go work for it. People assume most of the the money that is given to homeless people they spend it on drugs and alcohol because of the fact that many homeless people have drug and alcohol addictions. It is not uncommon to come across homeless youth and older homeless population that are known to abuse substances like drugs and alcohol. Because of the fact that homeless people have substance abuse problems, they tend face illnesses and infections. Many hard working Americans ask themselves “why don’t homeless people just get jobs?” The assumption is they are just lazy and unmotivated. Homeless people choose to live the life they live. Everyone goes through problems but not all people take the path homeless people do. The problems homeless people face is not an excuse for them to be helped and maintained by other hard working people. Although homelessness might be a choice to some, no one knows the hardships these people have gone through. Some assume these people are just lazy but in reality a lot of these homeless people have jobs of their own, they just can’t afford housing and a decent life. Everyone has their own opinion on homeless people, but that does not change the fact that one should still serve the homeless. Not because homeless people need help but because we are
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Literary Analysis Of What You Pawn I Will Redeem
1401 Words | 3 Pages
“What You Pawn I Will Redeem,” by Sherman Alexie gives readers a look at the life of homeless, easygoing, middle aged Native American, Jackson Jackson. The story, which is set in Seattle, describes the conditions that Jackson finds himself in. Alexie’s choice of motifs emphasizes the significance of cultural and historical references. With these concepts in mind, the reader is taken through a journey of self-realization. “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” narrates the internal struggle Jackson feels trying to figure out his personal identity as a Native American. The story chronicles situations that illustrate the common stereotypes about Natives. Through Jackson’s humble personality, the reader can grasp his
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Persuasive Essay On Being A Homeless
1212 Words | 3 Pages
Homelessness has gained mass attention throughout the world. It’s an ongoing, insoluble issue that continues to exist and affect many in the Unites States. “Approximately 3.5 million people are homeless in the United States at any given time” (McBride, 2012). Sadly, due to the nature of homelessness, it is difficult to obtain an accurate number of the homeless population (McBride, 2012). Many people have negative prejudice views of homeless individuals. Self-worth, dignity, as well as trustworthy affects the homeless, often questioned by society. Through the testimony of John Doe, a better understanding will enlighten others, myself included, and bring awareness to this mass population.
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