mixalogic
3 posts
Dec 20, 2003
1:29 AM
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I had found it intersting how Alexie addressed the issue of cultural icons and what roles they play in our society. After reading this chapter I started to get this idea that America needed the icon of John Wayne to survive. The U.S. of America already had this national pride that produced some arrogance but with the creation of iconic 'John Wayne' it further establsihed this notion. I almost feel that was like an insecure, senstitve person who plays th bully and terrorises others to hide their insecurities. With the creation of 'John Wayne' I feel that America could now be distracted by his unrealistic attributes to hide our national 'insecurities'. Alexie then goes on the discuss how America dosen't even understand their own icons and heritage and yet they feel like they can decipher other peoples. Although they owned the icon of 'John Wayne' in no way did they understand it. John Wayne was some what of a mystery and yet Etta Jospeh claimed to know him inside and out. This made Spencer uncomfortable. I feel that Spencer had placed some identity in 'John Wayne' and when Etta challenged his image Spencer took it as personal attack that he would not accept. Are we as a nation clinging to national icons and take it as a personal attack when they are challenged?
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