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political science


Lyman is attracted to the white society because it is much more powerful. Since it is unusual for a native to make money, Lyman is determined to run the cafe and make a profit from it. Since Lyman is attracted to the white culture, he enters the American Legion Hall to shine shoes. The white culture excepts him into the hall and Lyman is flattered by the gesture. Even as he benefits from the white culture, Lyman is aware of the betrayal of the natives by the whites (fanshawec p.2). Lyman notices that the natives live in less than ideal conditions: he notices the roads are full of pot holes, as are the promises made by the government which is an example of paternalism (fanshawec p. 2). .
             When Henry and Lyman first bought the car and drove to Alaska, they stopped at a willow tree to rest. Here, the author uses a lot of symbolisism. They were lying under the willow and Henry was asleep with his arms thrown wide (Erdrich p.267). The author lets the readers know that Henry is going to die later in the story by stating, "Henry is asleep with his arms thrown wide". This statement is a symbol of Henry dying because the author states that he is on the ground with his arms open wide like a person unconscious. The willow tree in the story also has symbolic meaning. The author writes, "The branches bent down all around me (Lyman) like a tent or a stable. Lyman describes in Alaska as living like an animal in nature": "You never have to sleep hard or put away the world" (Erdrich p. 267). Note how life-affirming this experience is, as compared to the glimpses of the white world (fanshawec 4). This symbolic writing shows how Lyman is still in touch with his native culture even though he is interested in the white culture. Even though Lyman is benefiting from the white culture for things like his cafe, the car, working at the American Legion Hall, and the television, he is still aware of the betrayal of the natives by the whites.


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