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  • Essay / The Use of Tone in Superman and Me by Sherman Alexie

    I've always been slower to learn things. Growing up, it always took me longer to learn new subjects and I always needed extra help. Throughout my studies, I followed programs and got accommodations on specific things. It's been difficult at times because everyone understands something and I act like I understand, but I really don't. This was sometimes the hardest part, but I realized it was okay that I needed extra help or more time to learn things. In "Superman and Me", by Sherman Alexie, he uses tonal variation in an attempt to explain how difficult his childhood was, which shows his tone through society and how he was a survivor. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In Superman and Me, Alexie faces a conflict that requires action. He notes that Indian children are beginning to conform to society's image of them, which is a failure in the non-Indian world. Alexie's dilemma is to figure out what he can do in this moment to help the already defeated Indian children succeed in society. “Then there are the sullen and already defeated Indian children who sit in the back rows and ignore me with theatrical precision. .” His perspective is based on his current place in the form of a “solve the problem” situation. “I’m smart. I'm arrogant. I'm lucky. I'm trying to save our lives. ", This quote suggests that the perspective of this essay is fueled by Alexie's deep desire to help Indian children. Sherman's use of literary tone to capture readers' attention. Sherman opens his story with an unexpected tone that his early experiences with reading are what influenced him and how it affected his life and career path. An example of this is when he writes: “They carry neither pencil nor pen. They look out the window. They refuse and resist. “Books,” I told them. “Books,” I said. I throw my weight against their locked doors. The door holds. I'm smart. I'm arrogant. I'm lucky. I'm trying to save our lives." Alexie uses repetition when he says "I tell them books." "Books," I say. Alexie uses repetition to indicate the rift between him and all the other Indians. He uses the "I" to show his separation in his own individuality when he uses alliteration when he says "I'm lucky. I'm trying to save our lives." He wants to make it clear that he survived and followed one of his passions which was teaching children. The short sentences refer to him saying that he will not fail because he is determined and has confidence in himself. As an Indian, he was considered “idiot.” The short sentences also represent that since he learned to read and write as a little boy, he read all the time and was actually intelligent as a young child. He doesn't do it for himself, he does it for the people so they can see that Indians can be smart too. In a way, he is a superman for children. Alexie tries to save the lives of the children on the reservation, whether they like it or not. Throughout the story he also uses anaphora when he continually uses the phrases "I was trying to save my life." “They are trying to save their lives.” I'm trying to save our lives." Alexie uses anaphora because it is another attempt to emphasize his experiences of.