Forgiving Our Fathers in Smoke Signals
Not what you're looking for?
Native American author Sherman Alexie's novel Lone Ranger and Tonto: Fistfight in Heaven and its subsequent film adaptation entitled Smoke Signals tell the story of Victor, an Indian whose alcoholic, abusive father left him and his mother when Victor was a young boy. In the movie, Victor's father has died off the reservation, and as the only son, Victor must go claim his father's ashes. Below is a clip of the movie's final scene where Victor releases his father's ashes into the river. The scene begins with Victor's friend Thomas being asked, "Tell me what happened. Tell me what's going to happen." Thomas replies with words from a poem by Dick Lourie entitled "Forgiving our Fathers"
After watching the clip and reading through the poem, what lesson do you think Alexie is attempting to teach by using this poem in this context? Is it forgiveness? Unforgiveness? Or something different. Use two examples from the poem and/or images in the movie clip to support your argument.
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
A short, personal reader response idea is generated regarding Victor's release of his father's ashes into the river why/how the poem signifies this character's evolution.
Solution Preview
After watching the clip and reading through the poem, the lesson that I think Alexie is attempting to teach by using this poem in this context is finding ...
Education
- BS , Slippery Rock University
- MA, Slippery Rock University
Recent Feedback
- "thk u"
- "Thank you. Posted one more.. if you are online pls help. "
- "thk u"
- "thk u"
- "thnk you"
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
19th Century American prose authors
Test your knowledge of American prose writers of the 19th Century. Use this quiz to brush up on your familiarity of major titles and writers.
Academic Research and Writing
This is a quiz that tests students’ knowledge about the research, revision, and writing processes.
Paradise Lost - Milton
Students will be able to test themselves on their knowledge of Milton's Paradise Lost and gain a better understanding of key points that their instructor may ask them about.
MLA Quiz Part II
This quiz provides additional support for students in their second or third year of college who need to proficiency in MLA formatting for writing courses.
Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal
This quiz was written to test your understanding of Jonathan Swift’s essay, A Modest Proposal.