The Writing Style of Sherman Alexie
Sherman Alexie has had quite the eventful life which has allowed him to become the poet, novelist, performer, and filmmaker known today. He was not even expected to live past six months of age since the baby born to two Spokane/ Coeur d’Alene Indians had hydrocephalus: a disease that caused a buildup of fluid in the brain causing seizures and needed operation. He survived and grew up healthy but since he had seizures he remained inside most of his childhood and became an avid reader.
In the 8th grade, Alexie made the decision to go to school off of the reservation. His success there secured his spot in Spoke’s Jesuit Gonzaga University where he began abusing alcohol. He eventually transferred to Washington State University where he began writing short stories. After he got published in Hanging Loose Magazine he was given incentive to quit drinking and has been sober ever since.
Sherman Alexie works typically have the purpose of social commentary. They often involve alcoholism, casinos, and other issues he feels plague the Indian community. On his website he even comments in his FAQ: Just the Answers section on the topic of casinos saying that he believes that they are despicable but he understand their importance to some families ability to put dinner on the table. He also maintains his love of the importance of reading which he constantly stresses on his website and twitter.
His fans are very important to him and he always tries to give them the utmost respect. He has been asked why he doesn’t wear traditional dress to his events to which he responds that he believes a performer must always be dressed nicer than his audience. He also says that if he were there to “fancy dance” then he would be dressed for such an occasion. Furthermore, Alexie promises on his site that he will be at any venue until all autographs are sated.
Some fans well versed in Indian culture have noticed that Alexie has cut his hair short and has left it that way since his father died. On this Alexie says, “I cut my hair in mourning for my late father. I'll keep it short until the mourning is over. Who knows when that will be? Maybe never.” He understands that he “looks more Indian” with long hair but then expresses his feelings towards this “insecure representation of Indian-ness.”
Sherman Alexie continues to perform and write to this day. He currently resides in Seattle with his two sons and his wife.
Works Cited:
Alexie, Sherman. "Sherman Alexie." Sherman Alexie. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. <fallsapart.com>
"Sherman Alexie." Sherman Alexie. The Poetry Foundation, 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/sherman-alexie>.
In the 8th grade, Alexie made the decision to go to school off of the reservation. His success there secured his spot in Spoke’s Jesuit Gonzaga University where he began abusing alcohol. He eventually transferred to Washington State University where he began writing short stories. After he got published in Hanging Loose Magazine he was given incentive to quit drinking and has been sober ever since.
Sherman Alexie works typically have the purpose of social commentary. They often involve alcoholism, casinos, and other issues he feels plague the Indian community. On his website he even comments in his FAQ: Just the Answers section on the topic of casinos saying that he believes that they are despicable but he understand their importance to some families ability to put dinner on the table. He also maintains his love of the importance of reading which he constantly stresses on his website and twitter.
His fans are very important to him and he always tries to give them the utmost respect. He has been asked why he doesn’t wear traditional dress to his events to which he responds that he believes a performer must always be dressed nicer than his audience. He also says that if he were there to “fancy dance” then he would be dressed for such an occasion. Furthermore, Alexie promises on his site that he will be at any venue until all autographs are sated.
Some fans well versed in Indian culture have noticed that Alexie has cut his hair short and has left it that way since his father died. On this Alexie says, “I cut my hair in mourning for my late father. I'll keep it short until the mourning is over. Who knows when that will be? Maybe never.” He understands that he “looks more Indian” with long hair but then expresses his feelings towards this “insecure representation of Indian-ness.”
Sherman Alexie continues to perform and write to this day. He currently resides in Seattle with his two sons and his wife.
Works Cited:
Alexie, Sherman. "Sherman Alexie." Sherman Alexie. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. <fallsapart.com>
"Sherman Alexie." Sherman Alexie. The Poetry Foundation, 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/sherman-alexie>.