Seale & Slappin prompt 3

Sheila Wallace
Ling 695 Multi-literacies
Seale & Slapin Promp 3

Pages 84-117 and 136-151

1. The poetry touches on features and themes that are similar across the different tribes of indigenous people. For example, the poem “My Precious Little Nephew” talks about the basic value for the love of children and the hope that they may not face prejudice. In this poem, it describes the Indian regalia and then being ridiculed in school for being Indian and the honor that was “taken” away from him. Other poems describe the emphasis placed on dreams and their deep connotations they make to one’s destiny. For example, a poem “Bad Vision” talks about a bad dream that may be ominous to ones future- there is a connection to dreams and reality. These poems touch heavily on emotions both of pride and prejudice both within the Indian community and the outside world. The reviews of poetry touch on themes and portraits of life including a life lived in harmony with society and nature, of pride and prejudice, of stereotypes, of endurance, and the highs and lows of the indigenous people.
2. Aspects of genre include poems and photo-essays. The reviews include what is stereotyped, condescending, or false portrayals and the negative images put on by mainstream society and the education system. The reviews also assess the authenticity and touches on historical accuracy.
3. These reviews are helpful in determining the authenticity of literature across the genres. The reviews are written in a style that not only describes the books but also includes excerpts to get a clearer picture about what the literature conveys emotionally, socially, and psychologically.


Pages 84-103
The poem “The Well-Intentioned Question” by Wendy Rose (Hopi/Miwuk) caught my attention because it describes an Indian woman who is often asked about her Indian name and what it means. She debates whether she should tell the truth about the meaning of her name, which she is herself is wanting to know but doesn’t. She sees herself wanting to know about being Indian, but doesn’t because she does not live among her people and ways of life. She feels a deep yearning to know her Indian self- to prove to her people that she does but there is nothing. It leaves her “forever”. The poem caught my attention because I am constantly asked about my name, and I always have this deep hesitation, because I know they will want me to repeat it over and over- and it makes me uncomfortable because they butcher the pronunciation. Then I would have to explain the meaning of my name which means “a future kiss” and I am always a little shy to say- because it is flirtatious and not noble. The structure of the poem is difficult to follow, as well as the metaphors and connotations, without the background knowledge. I think it was meant to be, because the reader has to dig deep to find the meaning. The person writing the review for this poem has to understand that the loss of identity and language are deep issues. A person writing the review needs to have authentic perspective to understand that the person is living outside of her culture in the mainstream society, such as the author of this poem, she may have unsettling issues about looking Indian, being Indian, but does not know the language and culture.