World Arts Theatre: Essay #2
Images of Native-American Culture and Theatre
Assignment: (Choose one of the following questions and write a two-page reaction
paper. Be sure to cite examples from the play or movie, but do not give a synopsis.)
1. Dr. Ann Haugo’s question: How does the characters’ relationship change in The
Rez Sisters and/or Dry Lips by Tomson Highway? Saying that these plays are
“non-linear” does not mean that nothing happens. There is indeed growth,
change, etc. Explore how this happens.
2. The movie, Smoke Signals, attempts to portray many aspects of Native-American
culture. There are many significant parts in the movie that are specifically
Native-American. Looking at your own heritage and traditions, do you see any
comparisons or contradictions within your life? (Disregard this question if we
do not have time to view the video.)
3. For decades, American entertainment media have defined the Native-American
image to all the world. And usually, that image has been shaped by people with
little understanding of Native-American people themselves. For example, TV and
movies often show Native-Americans as savages, stoic, or non-existent. In the
play The Rez Sisters and/or Dry Lips are the characters portrayed as threedimensional people that are true to live or do the plays simply glorify already
existing stereotypes? Give examples from the plays to support your answer.
4. In class discussions, several stereotypes of Native Americans were presented and
discussed. By using specific examples, how do the plays, The Rez Sisters and/or
Dry Lips conform or deviate from these stereotypes?