Intro: Through his novels and other works, Alexie uses raw humor and situations to

criticize the situations Native Americans face. Alexie both uses stereotypes in his work
perpetuating them while also countering them. He brings up issues faced by Native
American through his work such as self-identity and tribal identity.
Coming to terms with authors work:
Discusses Alexies past, and his accomplishments
Discusses other scholars thoughts: critiques and praises
Alexie makes people talk about issues by discussing them in his work
Issues of identity, the use of stereotypes, the influence of popular culture and the
media, the significance of humor to help with pain
makes fascinating points about identity politics, history, loyalty and the price of
success
Alexies work displays tremendous pain and anger but there is also love, humor
and plenty of irony

Countering:
Tom Barbash calls Flight a narrative stripped to its core, all rage and heart Its
raw and vital, often raucously funny, and there isnt a false word in it I agree
however the use of stereotypes against Arabs, in this way Alexie perpetuates
stereotypes instead of countering them
Perpetuates other stereotypes as well and may exaggerate life on rez
Argues that Aleixie sensationalizes alcoholism instead of addressing the issues
that lead to this damaging disease: poverty, lack of economic stability, and loss of
culture -> untrue, discussed multiple times by Junior in True Diary
Forwarding:
Old shirts and New Skins- link to True Diary (illustrates the importance of art,
especially art fueled by rage)
Characters in books struggle with maintaining both individual and tribal
identities- extend idea to Junior in True Diary and the idea of leaving rez and
assimilation
an individuals sense of identity is developed through a combination of others
perceptions of the individual and the individuals perceptions of his or her own
self link to True Diary and especially Flight with Zits use of negative
viewpoint of himself and Indians in general due to past
the false images of Indians in media are internalized by characters so much so that
they are unable to define what Indian means to them issues in both Flight and
true Diary and need to use history and past and present to find own identity
identity issues and hurtful stereotypes used in novels are used by Alexie to show
readers the truth-> his attempt to help others unlearn stereotypes
Plans, Questions, and Challenges

Do I describe characters when I discuss them? The article I read didnt do a good
job and I didnt feel like I knew enough
The author mentions a lot of other scholars thoughts and critiques but none of her
own. How do I counter or forward hers?
Does not discuss Flight or True Diary in article making it difficult to connect
concepts occasionally
Is my thesis supposed to be my arguments or incorporate the other scholars as
well?