Seth Webster

Professor Padgett
UWRT 1101
10/14/14
Personal Interpretive Essay
After reading the Alexie essay I have decided that people shouldnt pick the easiest route,
because success is the product of determination. While I read the story of Alexies past I was
able to deeply understand his struggles. Not everyone is able to experience the hardship of that
Alexie was faced with, and I am not referring to the poverty he lived in. Instead I think more of
the pressure he faced from the rest of the world, a world that wants to see you amount to little or
nothing at all. I feel that this was a terrible path for any child to walk, especially in a country that
is known for allowing people to try and succeed. Even though I feel that the story is meant to
have a positive message I cant help to see the real underlying tragedy. Through all of the
personal triumphs that Alexie had I still could not get over the fact that there was a greater power
trying to bottle up his progress. With every milestone he passed, there stood society, but not with
open arms and rejoice instead he was looked down upon asked to extinguish his passion.
This seemed to go against everything I was taught as a child. Growing up, I was given
praise and support for my accomplishments; it seemed that everyone that surrounded me wanted
to see me succeed. This is why it is so hard for me to think that a whole society is contempt with
being looked down upon. Today, I think of myself as a strong individual that has firm beliefs and
a strong moral fiber, I also believe in myself and my ideas. But after reading Alexies story I

cant help to wonder if I would be the same person if I grew up in his environment. This is hard
for someone to think about but I asked myself if I honestly thought that I would be able to
overcome the same monolithic obstacle that Alexie faced. After questioning my own past and
how much of it I can contribute to my own determination, it is hard to say how much of my own
success, actually was a direct result of my skills. It was a tough pill to swallow, and after I was
left questioning every major event in my life, I wanted to know how much I had actually
accomplished due to my initiative. It was easy for me to say that everything I succeeded in was
due to my personal determination, but after further examination I realized that I had been given
that determination from my supportive parents and peers. If I was thrown into the same life as
Alexie, things might have turned out different for me.
When Alexie spoke of how his people were stereotyped by outsiders and themselves, I
found this both interesting and relatable. When Alexie said that a smart Indian boy was
dangerous, I believe he was referring to the fact that it went against the stereotype that Native
Americans were meant to be ignorant. And the stereotype has nothing to do with the fact of the
persons actual intelligence; it just scares people when something doesnt go according to plan,
and thats what makes the smart boy dangerous. The hard truth is that it is difficult to reteach an
entire group of people something that they have been brought knowing for generations, so makes
the seemingly endless cycle of stereotypes. My whole life I have been a part of many distinct
groups or cultures, and I know the power that stereotypes can have over an individual. When I
was younger I was constantly being type casted for being affiliated with a particular group of
people. Throughout my life I was known for being a certain race, or from living in a particular
region in the country, even known for my faith. And with all of those groups come certain
stereotypes. It was hard for me to look past those stereotypes after constantly hearing them from

people who had no idea what they were talking about, and even though I knew they were lies I
began to believe some myself.
But, with the harmful power that stereotypes can have over people comes an even
sweeter taste of victory when you overcome those stereotypes. With hard work and the ability to
look beyond what others think about you, comes a gift that strengthens people. This gift allows
people to persevere and gives them the determination to shatter the idea of stereotypes. Through
reading the Alexie essay I was able to understand through a different perspective the power of
overcoming stereotypes, and not giving in and taking the road everyone expects you to take.
Because just like Alexie I did not allow the stereotypes to limit me forever, eventually I
overcame the barriers of stereotypes and became a stronger person in the process. After I realized
that just because other people thought I should behave a particular way, does not mean I have to
act that way. By ignoring the cruelty of stereotypes I became the proud man I am today, this
proved to me the true power of determination and the importance it played both in my life and
Alexies life.