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Bad Indians By Deborah Miranda Summary

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Throughout history, there have been many literary studies that focused on the culture and traditions of Native Americans. Native writers have worked painstakingly on tribal histories, and their works have made us realize that we have not learned the full story of the Native American tribes. Deborah Miranda has written a collective tribal memoir, “Bad Indians”, drawing on ancestral memory that revealed aspects of an indigenous worldview and contributed to update our understanding of the mission system, settler colonialism and histories of American Indians about how they underwent cruel violence and exploitation. Her memoir successfully addressed past grievances of colonialism and also recognized and honored indigenous knowledge and identity. …show more content…

First of all, “Dear Vicenta” is written from a first-person point of view. This creates an intimate perspective that makes the passage more straightforward and easier for readers to understand the characters’ personalities and views. It also helps readers to see themselves “in” the story and thus become empathetic since first person narrative allows readers to listen to the speaker’s voices and feelings. Secondly, Miranda used a personal but serious tone in the passage. Using a personal tone makes the passage more emotional and thus fosters a connection with readers. Using a serious tone, on the other hand, helps readers realize the significance and seriousness of the issue, sexual abuse, being addressed. Last but not least, Miranda used anaphora in the passage. “I hope for the basics: I hope someone was there for you when you ran home. Someone to hold you. Someone to help you clean yourself. Someone who comforted you after the nightmares. I hope nobody told you it was your fault. I hope some old lady cussed out Father Real in front of the gossips” (Miranda 25). The beginning repetition of “I hope” and “someone” shows the speaker’s great compassion and sincere wishes for Vicenta. A pathetic but brave woman like her is worthy of admiration and should serve as a good model for future generations to resist oppressive acts by standing

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