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Analysis Of Louise Erdrich's Poem Dear John Wayne

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In a poem by Louise Erdrich, a member of Chippowah tribe, “Dear John Wayne” she addresses the conflicts between the native americans and the white settlers often dramatized in western movies. The conflict between cowboys and native americans through the eyes of a movie-goer view starring, king of the cowboy, John Wayne. She uses different points of view throughout the poem such as herself, John Wayne, and an unknown speaker helping her criticize the actions and values of the character John Wayne portrays in the film. These parts of the poem help get across the idea of the native american oppression and stereotyping. The setting of a drive-in theatre playing a John Wayne movie helps demonstrate the oppression and criticism of native americans

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