Sept. 28, 2011
**Be sure you have all of your other Alexie assignments with you today:
 KCTS interview handout
 Questions for “Because My Father” (short story)
 Questions for Smoke Signals (film)
1. Discuss questions for “Superman and Me” by Sherman Alexie
You were to finish the following questions using specific examples from
the text in order to get full credit. The assignment was posted on
strohblog2.wordpress.com
1. In what ways does the description of Sherman Alexie’s father play against the
stereotype?
2. What is the effect of Alexie’s analogy of a paragraph to a fence? How does he expand
on this idea “enclosure and release” when he references “doors” in both the fourth and
the eighth paragraphs?
3. In paragraph 7, Alexie deliberately uses a number of short, simple sentences. What
effects he trying to achieve?
4. This eight-paragraph essay is divided into two distinct sections. Why? How would you
describe the arrangement of material? How does it suit Alexie’s overall purpose?
5. Why does Alexie choose to end the essay with “I am sm art. I am arrogant. I am lucky.
I am trying to save our lives”? Write down other similar references to these lines. Why
does he nearly repeat these sentiments? What point is Alexie trying to make?
6. Who is the audience for this essay? Cite specific passages to support your response.
7. Do you yourself associate being literate with being successful? Your thoughts…
2. Begin the Native American Essay
 First select the three issues you wish to discuss. I have given you some
ideas on the sheet, but you may choose others if they fit the assignment.
 Next, draw arrows from the issues to the works below that address
those issues. Be sure you select issues that you can apply to more than
one work. (Also, you must use at least three total pieces in your essay.)
 Next, brainstorm and come up with specific examples from each work
that address each chosen issue. If you choose “Because My Father…”
or “Superman & Me,” be sure you find direct quotes. For the KCTS
interview and Smoke Signals, y ou need only have examples. You
should spend time doing this to organize your ideas.
 When your brainstorm chart is filled with examples, begin writing your
essay.