The Joys of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me
1) In "The Joy of Reading and Writing: Superman and Me" Sherman Alexie demonstrates his passion for books and how they played a very important role in his life. Alexie sheds light on some background information. Though his father was financially challenged, he managed to continue adding books to his collection. Through those books Alexie learned to read, and write. Also, the author mentions how he came to a clear understanding of what a paragraph was, he learned by making a few comparison's like "my family's house" and "each family member existed as a separate paragraph..." He also states that he learned how to read with a "Superman" comic book. He made assertions of what the characters were saying in the pictures and continued until he learned to read. At the end, he says how even though it was expected for Indians to do poorly academically, he refuse to be a part of that stereotype and instead aimed to succeed. Now we see that all those factors in his life helped him become the writer that he is now. (see pgs. 46-47, paragraphs 6,7, & 8)
2) EX: “I am smart. I am arrogant. I am lucky. I am trying to save our lives.” (Page 47, paragraph 8)
3) The essay was very interesting and intriguing, his use of comparison to the house and his family members was conveyed smoothly to the reader. His essay is very straight forward and reader friendly. The author is trying to give a glimp of hope to many and inspire them to not give up and pursue their goals. (see pg. 46, paragraph 4)
4) The essay was very straight-forward and an interesting, easy read but the author could have added in extra details and more examples about the other Native American Indians in his community. Shedding more light on the social issues the Indians had to face would help the reader better understand their environment at the time and exactly what Alexie was standing up for. (Page 46-47, paragraph 6 as compared to the rest of the essay.) (see...