Jewelry Boutique

Narrative structure shapes and enhances a story’s meaning if used properly. Sherman Alexie’s fragmented narrative, “What You Pawn I Will Redeem”, is a work that illustrates this principle by displaying how complex cultural identity is in America for a modern Native American. The protagonist, Jackson Jackson, a homeless Indian, uncovers his cultural identity through an enterprise to reclaim his grandmother’s powwow regalia. Both Alexie’s formation of the story and portrayal of characters, coupled with Jackson’s adventure and interactions with others, demonstrate the convoluted sense of Native American culture in modern times