Sherman Alexie’s Ten Little Indians delves into the experiences of different Native Americans as they strive to achieve their individual aspirations, despite facing stereotypes and assumptions from mainstream American society. These individuals must navigate a complex blend of their own cultural identity and the expectations imposed on them by both Native American and American communities in general.
The passage discusses the difficulties faced by individual Native Americans as they strive to find their place in society, highlighting the sacrifices they make in order to fit in. Chapter 5, titled “Flight Patterns,” focuses on William, a Native American protagonist who has distanced himself from his cultural heritage. Despite being married to a Spokane woman and wanting to conform to societal norms while avoiding Native American stereotypes, William represents the typical American businessman archetype. Working as a traveling salesman based in Seattle and having a five-year-old daughter, he humorously challenges the perception that all Native Americans are tribal. Although he desires to stay at home, he feels compelled to embark on his latest trip. The text emphasizes that sexual desire transcends cultural boundaries and presents an unfiltered depiction of reality in this chapter, aiming to convey that people are fundamentally similar even if they choose not to acknowledge it.
William contributes to the stereotype of Native Americans by describing himself as the “bows and arrows” type of Indian, as opposed to the “bejeweled” Indians from India. Despite their cultural differences, there is an understanding between William and the Ethiopian taxi driver, who also faces his own challenges of sending money back home. As a comfortable middle-class individual, William is able to appreciate what he has, which is often not the case for the Spokane Indians.
Regarding the serious matter of 9/11 and the significant “War on Terror,” the need for technology remains important. It is worth noting the irony of investing in “socially responsible funds,” which is often seen as a form of capitalism dominated by white men and deemed unacceptable by many cultures.
Alexie evokes both smiles and cringes from readers who recognize aspects of themselves in his portrayals of characters and biased individuals navigating the challenges of survival.
