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The Lone Ranger

In: English and Literature

Submitted By acsodja
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Symbolism in The Lone ranger
Sherman Alexie uses figurative language in TLRATFIH to show the conflict between Native American culture and the culture of American society. This effectively provides us a glimpse into the Native American experience. One example of figurative language used throughout the story is symbolism. As the story progressed symbolism was incorporated into the text more giving it a double meaning, which helps the reader to better understand the purpose. In the story, the author uses symbolism in a way to foreshadow the future. One example of this is when Victor and Adrian saw Julius. They were speaking about how he is a great basketball player. They also spoke about how every past “reservation hero” ended up becoming an alcoholic. At the end of the chapter julius’s future is foreshadowed when Adrian throws the cup. In the book it states, “while the sun rose straight up above us and settled down behind the house, watched that cup revolve, revolve, until it came down whole to the ground.” (Alexie 53) This quote foreshadows victor’s life as a basketball star, when the cup is revolving and begins to slow down it symbolizes his career being sidetracked by alcohol. Another example of foreshadowing with symbolism in the book is when the author writes about Arnold’s drinking. In the book it says “ Victor watched his father take a drink of vodka on a completely empty stomach...Maybe it was like Hiroshima or Nagasaki...During those long drinks, Victor's father wasn’t shaped like a question mark. He looked more like an exclamation point.” (Alexie 6) When the author uses an event like Hiroshima, which was had devastating effects and killed many people, to describe Victor's father’s behavior when he was drunk it shows how crazy his father was which foreshadows that alcohol will play a role in the breaking up of Victor’s family.
Alexie employs symbolism to provide the reader with a better understanding of how life as an Indian in American society. He describes how life on the reservation was hard, how alcohol changed his life, and how racial profiling was used against all Indians. These conflicts are what shape the story itself and create a vivid portrait, helping the reader predict the fate of some characters.

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