Native American Response Blog

     One common theme I noticed in all the writings was the importance of knowledge, or lack thereof. All three stories show this in some way or another, but this theme was most prominent in 'Superman and Me' and Samson Occum's Sermon for Moses Paul.

    In 'Superman and Me,' Sherman Alexie expands upon his point that knowledge (more specifically, books) is a tool that, when wielded correctly, is powerful on the point of dangerous. Sherman Alexie repeatedly talks about how he was trying to 'save his life' while reading. This shows that books and knowledge were so important to him that he started to view them as necessary for life. Knowledge was his way out of the world where he was supposed to be stupid and submissive; knowledge was how he escaped the fate of being one of those 'sullen and already defeated Indian kids' that 'refuse and resist'. Knowledge - and books - was his way of refusing to fail, refusing to succumb to the expectation that he limit himself. 

    In Samson Occum's Sermon, this theme of knowledge is presented in a different way. The preface of his sermon is spent talking about books and the printed world. He says that although there have been so many books about his subject of choice (the Bible and religion), all of them are written in a lofty, high-handed manner, using 'very high and refined language' so that common people do not understand them. He then endeavors to explain why it's important that there be books and texts written simply and plainly, so that everyone has access to that information. The underlying message of this preface is that knowledge is key for a well-lived life. The preface also implies that it's necessary for people - and not just people of upper classes and better status - to have a basic understanding of the world.  

    The Iroquois creation myth story also briefly touches upon the importance of knowledge, as shown when the 'bad mind' does not have the knowledge and ability necessary for creating humans, while the 'good mind' does. This take on the theme highlights the 'good and evil' side of knowledge, showing that sometimes knowledge can lead people to do good or bad things. 

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