marianne frantzen - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by marianne frantzen

This thesis examines ways in which Native Americans are portrayed in literature by analyzing two ... more This thesis examines ways in which Native Americans are portrayed in literature by analyzing two of Sherman Alexie's short stories This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona, and Because my Father Always Said he Was the only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock, as well as the movies Pocahontas (1995) and Smoke Signals (Alexie, 1998). The Native American/Indigenous methodology presented, provides insights into Native American culture that is necessary to see the nuances and layers of meaning in these narratives. The thesis discusses internalized colonization, Spivak's idea of the "Other", and DuBois' concept of a "double-consciousness" in relation to identity. Through my analysis it becomes evident that Pocahontas presents both a somewhat uniform and stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans, but also that it includes layers of depth to some of the characters. The thesis presents Alexie's narratives as ridden with dark humour, sarcasm and hyperboles which he has used to deconstruct the already existing stereotypes of Natives. In the analysis we see that they work as revisionist history by remembering the past. Throughout, the thesis presents opportunities, advice and it advocates teaching Native American literature in the English classroom. Chapter 5 addresses didactics, more specifically, teaching from a global and multicultural perspective. It covers interconnected aspects of teaching, in general, that are specifically relevant to teaching the narratives presented. These aspects are teaching humour, controversial topics, "the danger of a single story", short stories, and teaching movies as narratives. In sum, the thesis aims to reinscribe Native American literature in the English classroom. I would not have been able to write this thesis without the incredible support, help and advice that I have been so lucky to have gotten during this semester. First, I want to thank Professor Jennifer Wheat at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, it was because of her inspiring teaching that I chose to work with Native American literature and history. The most special thanks to Laura Castor, my English supervisor. Without her trust, faith and patience with me I would not have been able to write it. Her thoughts, advice and ideas were instrumental for me to come to the conclusions I have reached. I also want to thank my didactical supervisor, Ingrid Jakobsen, for her help, advice and supportive comments, the process relied on you as well. I am especially lucky to have had an outstanding personal motivator, supporter, and fan throughout this process, namely my boyfriend Thomas Maeland. I want to thank all of my friends for the, most needed, laughs, patience, smiles and encouragements that you have given me during this time. It is not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you always made it possible. My mother and father deserve thanks because they always push me to do better, to be greater, and to always be at my best. Lastly, I want to thank all of my costudents as well, your help, our discussions and our lunch breaks have been invaluable to me. All of you are in this thesis, somewhere, in-between the lines.

This thesis examines ways in which Native Americans are portrayed in literature by analyzing two ... more This thesis examines ways in which Native Americans are portrayed in literature by analyzing two of Sherman Alexie's short stories This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona, and Because my Father Always Said he Was the only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock, as well as the movies Pocahontas (1995) and Smoke Signals (Alexie, 1998). The Native American/Indigenous methodology presented, provides insights into Native American culture that is necessary to see the nuances and layers of meaning in these narratives. The thesis discusses internalized colonization, Spivak's idea of the "Other", and DuBois' concept of a "double-consciousness" in relation to identity. Through my analysis it becomes evident that Pocahontas presents both a somewhat uniform and stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans, but also that it includes layers of depth to some of the characters. The thesis presents Alexie's narratives as ridden with dark humour, sarcasm and hyperboles which he has used to deconstruct the already existing stereotypes of Natives. In the analysis we see that they work as revisionist history by remembering the past. Throughout, the thesis presents opportunities, advice and it advocates teaching Native American literature in the English classroom. Chapter 5 addresses didactics, more specifically, teaching from a global and multicultural perspective. It covers interconnected aspects of teaching, in general, that are specifically relevant to teaching the narratives presented. These aspects are teaching humour, controversial topics, "the danger of a single story", short stories, and teaching movies as narratives. In sum, the thesis aims to reinscribe Native American literature in the English classroom. I would not have been able to write this thesis without the incredible support, help and advice that I have been so lucky to have gotten during this semester. First, I want to thank Professor Jennifer Wheat at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, it was because of her inspiring teaching that I chose to work with Native American literature and history. The most special thanks to Laura Castor, my English supervisor. Without her trust, faith and patience with me I would not have been able to write it. Her thoughts, advice and ideas were instrumental for me to come to the conclusions I have reached. I also want to thank my didactical supervisor, Ingrid Jakobsen, for her help, advice and supportive comments, the process relied on you as well. I am especially lucky to have had an outstanding personal motivator, supporter, and fan throughout this process, namely my boyfriend Thomas Maeland. I want to thank all of my friends for the, most needed, laughs, patience, smiles and encouragements that you have given me during this time. It is not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you always made it possible. My mother and father deserve thanks because they always push me to do better, to be greater, and to always be at my best. Lastly, I want to thank all of my costudents as well, your help, our discussions and our lunch breaks have been invaluable to me. All of you are in this thesis, somewhere, in-between the lines.