Reading Response - Indian Killer

I absolutely loved the novel "Indian Killer" by Sherman Alexie. It was the type of story that I did not want to put down, because I so badly wanted to know what happened next. There were so many different complex characters and somehow they all ended up interwoven with one another.
I really enjoyed it when Marie snapped at Dr. Clarence Mather about the name that they had given the unknown murderer, "Indian Killer." It was a simple part of the story that perhaps often goes unnoticed by others, but the moment that I picked up the book I assumed, based on the title, that it would be a story about a murderer who killed Indians, not an Indian who killed others. As the novel started and up until the argument made by Marie I was frustrated, thinking that its moronic to call this murderer the Indian Killer, as it contradicts the events taking place. It is a random and perhaps insignificant part of the story, but it is one that I was happy to see, as I had been so annoyed by the title throughout the story until that point.
What I really loved about "Indian Killer" is how John Smith's mental disorder slowly unfolds and becomes more complex and obvious as the story goes on. At first we are presented with a character who perhaps is just shy, does not seem to fit in, an introvert. But as the story progresses we are given different events in his life that demonstrate his mental handicap.
I also enjoyed when there would be entire chapters giving very precise details about what John's life would have been if his 14-year-old birth mother had not given him up for adoption. Alexie does not write these parts of the narration as if they are fantasy, but as if they were also true events of John Smith's life. I would certainly recommend "Indian Killer" to any avid readers who may enjoy a raw look into other cultures.

Reading Response - Fear and Loathing

I absolutely enjoyed Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. When I entered the class I assumed we would be reading classics that I already read in high school, and I am thrilled that I was wrong. I had heard of the movie "Fear and Loathing" but I had no idea what it was about. I ended up really enjoying reading it, although in the beginning of the novel I was a bit confused. Was there really a sting ray in the middle of Sunset Boulevard? Of course not, but Thompson's hallucinations were giving him these crazy images. It took me awhile to get used to the flow of the novel, with the way he incorporated his hallucinations as if they were reality, and also the way Thompson would go into flashbacks for pages at a time without warning to the reader. Once I looked up what some of the drugs were I started to get more into the story, understanding how seriously these drugs took over Thompson's world. I kept expecting some trip to be his last, always forgetting it is a nonfiction novel and he clearly could not have written it if it ended in his death. It just shocks me that individuals can live their lives in a constant haze, having no real grasp on reality and always endangering their own lives. While I enjoyed the novel and it certainly kept me interested, it almost made me feel dirty to imagine such a lifestyle. I wanted to take a shower and go to confession after reading it, and I'm not a Catholic.

The American Dream

The American Dream is the idea that individuals from all walks of life living in the United States can find prosperity and success. At a very young age we are taught that any goal can be achieved by honest, hard work. The concept stems from the statement that all men are created equal, thus any man (or woman), whether born into poverty or wealth, has the ability to follow their own dream of success. These days, this may seem quite far-fetched and unrealistic. From a sociological standpoint, the fact is that people born into poverty are given completely different opportunities throughout life and are at a disadvantage from the start than those born into wealthy means. Still, the American Dream is acknowledged universally, which is why so many individuals born in other countries desire to move to the U.S. Sorry, again, to go back to the European examples, but I must in order to make my point. While in France, I became very close with a group of 3 Ecuadorian boys. One had lived in London, England for 7 years and all 3 had been in France for at least the last year. They all dream of coming to the U.S. They have all been able to find work in England and/or France, they all receive education there, but still it is the U.S. that they idolize. I had actually heard them drop the line "the American Dream" and it made me chuckle, because they truly believe that if they could just find the money or get the visas to get into the U.S., that they would be able to make it for sure. They speak of our huge lawns, large houses, swimming pools, etc. as if these are things only movie stars could own in other countries, but in the U.S. they are commonplace. They talk about Miami, New York, California, Las Vegas, like they must be the greatest places in the world, full of endless opportunities. It shocks them when I tell them that the job market is in fact terrible right now and I cannot even find a summer job! Of course, I do not crush their high hopes and optimism of the American Dream. I also hope that it is obtainable; that anyone can succeed in our country, despite the socio-economic status in which they were born. After all, that is what the founding fathers had in mind.

The Quintessential 21st Century American

I cannot help but relate everything I experience back to my 6 month experience studying abroad in France, as I just returned less than 2 weeks ago. I now have a better handle on what I believe the quintessential 21st century American to be, as I have viewed it from multiple perspectives. While in Europe, I was introduced to many new people, and to them I said with pride that I was an American. Their responses were not always so polite. Sure, many people thought it was quite cool that I was from the United States, but many others shrugged me off as if there was no way that I could contribute to the conversation, as I heard from many young French citizens that Americans were "fat, lazy, stupid, loud, rude, superficial," etc. Do not take this as exaggeration, these were actual descriptions given to my face by young French adults on numerous occasions (usually while alcohol was being consumed, so I suppose that is why the had the audacity to say it out loud).
Now the question is, do I agree with this description of the quintessential American? Absolutely not. Is it true of some? Of course! I think the problem is that we are all being stereotyped by the image that Hollywood gives to the rest of the world. Around the globe (well, I can really only speak for Europe) people are seeing the same images that we see everyday in films and t.v. and advertising. But the difference is, is as Americans we know what to blow off as fiction or comedy, while in Europe they take these images to represent true American life. For example, everytime I told people I was from Springfield, I received the same response... "DO YOU KNOW THE SIMPSONS?!" Right, because Homer obviously lives right next door. They realize it is a cartoon, but they believe the characters are real. Thus, they imagine Americans to be fat, loud, lazy, and stupid just like Homer and the other characters.
Personally, I believe there is no quintessential American. Our country is full of so many different types of people. And really, when I imagine an American, the image in my head is completely different depending on what region of the country I am thinking of. For example: Californians I picture as laid back surfers, girls with too much money and plastic surgery. This to me just doesn't seem like reality. It's Hollywood. Midwesterners I imagine very down to earth, family-oriented people. I also imagine a lot of farms and tractors, although I live no where near a farm and get incredibly annoyed when my friends at SLU make the ignorant claim that people from Springfield are "hillbillies" (of course they joke, but it really gets to me). So I suppose thats a tad hypocritical of me. When I think of New York, I imagine a fast-paced world of business suits and briefcases. I am not quite sure if I have made my point, but it is that I too get my image of Americans from the media.
I think the U.S. is a mish-mash of different cultures, and therefore I cannot describe the quintessential American, because I would continuously change my mind half-way through the description to adjust it. As soon as I think of Americans as being lazy, stupid, and loud, I then think of all the brilliant, competent, well-rounded Americans who absolutely deteste the former stereotype.