Essay Assignment
Length: 8 pages.
For this essay, you will analyze a theme in Sherman Alexie's Reservation Blues, and support your analysis with outside research. You can address any theme that interests you, but the following questions/topics might help you get started. The answer to any of these questions can be your thesis.
o How does Sherman Alexie depict life on a reservation? In other words, what is he asking outside readers to understand about life on a reservation?
o What is Robert Johnson's role in the novel? Is he there to teach the characters or the readers something?
o What is the effect of Alexie's use of magical realism? What idea, theme, or message does it help convey?
o How does each character cope with particular challenges they face on or off the reservation? (The best papers will focus on one character and trace his or her development, rather than trying to talk about everyone).
o There are many references to Rock & Roll and Blues throughout the book. What purpose do these references serve? Do they symbolize something? Do they help Alexie convey something about Native American culture?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.