Discussion Questions

Analyze the themes, symbols, and motifs at work in the novel.

1.      Describe the allusions at work in the novel: coyote myth, Robert Johnson, Betty & Veronica, etc. You may need to perform internet research for this question.

2.      Provide 2 passages that exemplify each of the following themes: alienation, poverty, and cultural identity.

3.      What political, moral, or social messages does the author seem to convey? What key concerns and social issues are addressed in the book? What message does Alexie convey with his constant references to the BIA and housing? Do you agree/disagree with the writer’s assessment of situations?

1.      What might the guitar and music signify? Do you notice any other symbols or metaphors?

2.      Examine the motifs: What roles do dreams, ritual, superstition, and religion play in this story?

3.      Study other themes at work in the novel:

a.       Gender Relations: Are the male and female characters fully drawn? What does the book suggest about the proper role of women?

b.      Examine stereotypes demonstrated and/or challenged in the book.

c.       The Family: How is the family portrayed? What do family bonds do the parent and child? What does this suggest about Alexie’s attitudes towards the relationship between the family and the self? How does Alexie view fatherhood? What does the book suggest about the nature of family ties? Most of the parents in the novel are gone, either dead or absent. What affect does that have on the main characters? Thomas’s father is still alive. Do you think he’s more fortunate than his friends to still have a father?

d.      Alcoholism plays a big role in this book. Why does the author devote so much attention to alcoholism? What did you think of the way the characters talk about their interactions with alcoholic Indians they have encountered in Spokane?

e.       The Community: How does the community differ from that of the reader? What does this story suggest about Alexie’s attitudes towards the relationship between society and the individual?

4.      The writing style – it’s unusual. How would you describe it? A lot of impossible, mythic things are mixed in with ordinary, everyday events, along with ironic commentary on reservation life. How did it work for you? What does this approach add to the story? What would be lost if it were told in a more straightforward, plain style?

5.      The scene in which Thomas dreams about “television and hunger” (p. 70) – The white people say “we come in peace” – and electrocute Indians with their electric fence. Thomas then dreams about Victor and Junior electrocuting snakes on an electric fence. Toward the end of the dream, Thomas says he’s afraid of being famous. He has Robert Johnson’s guitar, the one that Robert Johnson is trying to escape (because he got it from the devil). On page 78 a voice tells Victor, “don’t play for them; play for me.” What do you think is going on with that legend in this setting?