Superman is usually a childhood favorite to most boys and girls. He saved lives and made the world a better place. Sherman Alexie, the author of “Superman and Me”, is similar to Superman. He “saves lives” for some Indian children who cannot read. As they refuse to read and write, Alexie relates to the children he helps, because he was in the same situations in his early childhood. Alexie has similar acts of kindness just as Superman did in his numerous amount of comic books.This is the given example of an extended metaphor that is used throughout the essay. The narrator is similar in this evidence because he taught himself to read and this eventually helps him to become like Superman by helping children read and write. “This might be an interesting story all by itself. A …show more content…
“My father loved books, and since I loved my father with an aching devotion, I decided to love books as well” (Alexie 2). He was inspired to read by his father who owned many books. The narrator is not only like Superman in a way, but also had his dad’s knowledge by his side step by step in his childhood. Alexie’s father was an avid reader despite the fact that he was Indian. He believed that just because you are a certain race does not mean that you should be stereotyped. Everyone has the potential to read and write and “be a Superman” as long as you set goals and maintain the goals. Alexie smashes the doors of knowledge for himself and other children.“In one panel, Superman breaks through a door” (Alexie 4). He can relate to their situations because he was once there. Alexie took indications from the picture that he was breaking down the door (because he could not read.) Today, Alexie breaks down the educational doors for young children who are encouraged to read but choose not to. He persuades them to get an education and learn to read and write because he sees potential and knows that everyone can do anything just like he
Sherman Alexie is a Native American who grew up poor but smart. At a young age he taught himself how to read simple comic books. As he grew older, so did his intelligence and love for books. He was aware of the stereotypes against his race which pushed him to work harder to be knowledgeable and literate. He eventually became a writer and reaches out to young Indian children who are at risk because of their race.
Alexie, Sherman, “Superman and Me: The Joy of Reading and Writing.” Los Angeles Times, 19 April 1998. Sherman Alexie shared how his childhood of reading helped him become a better reader and a leader for others. He first read a Superman comic and then went on to bigger and better books. Alexie explains that in his Native American reservation it’s okay for children not to excel in school.
As he opened the exit door, he seen a big crowd of people yelling his name and congratulating him for what he did. Flasher seemed extremely happy for saving the people. His friend Aaron was so happy as well. They both went back home safely and happy. A year later had gone by and the “Superman” ride was ready and fixed.
In the story “Superman and me” by Sherman Alexie, Sherman showed his readers that people should not let obstacles get in the way of learning or their future. Sherman explains how his classmates did let obstacles get in the way “As Indian children, we were expected to fail in the non-Indian world. Those who failed were ceremonially accepted by other Indians and appropriately pitied by non-Indians.” When being ceremonially accepted teens feel accepted of course so much that when they are in that situation of “ Is this equally identical to the rest of the kids?” they feel the need to let whatever obstacles come into life stop them, from learning and furthering their future education.
Sherman Alexie wrote Superman and Me in order to inform people to break past stereotypes. Evidence for this was apparent when Sherman had written “I read with equal parts joy and despair”. Sherman Alexie read for fun, but also to try and prove that he is smarter than what people thought of him due to stereotypes. “I was trying to save my life”, is another statement in the article that supports my claim. This quote is Sherman trying to say that he does not want to fit in with society's stereotypes and live a dull life.
Gifted with incredible endurance and super strength, the ability of flight, and an impeccable moral compass, Superman is the quintessential superhero that Americans of all ages have admired and looked up to since his conception in 1938. In Brad Bird’s 1999 feature animation The Iron Giant, the fifty-foot metal protagonist is no exception. Hiding out in a barn, he peers at an issue of the Superman comic book like an amused child with his eyes wide and mouth agape. His closest human companion, nine-year old Hogarth, sits before the giant and explains to him, “Sure, he’s famous now, but he started off just like you! Crash landed on Earth…he only uses his powers for good, never for evil.”
Despite the negative stereotype of American Indians, the objections and disapproval of fellow Natives, and the criticism of others, Sherman Alexie went on to become a successful writer that has inspired many. Alexie overcame many obstacles that would have deterred him from his goal, but he was able to remain steadfast and continue on in his pursuit of writing. As a result, he has published many literary works that include several short stories, poems, and a variety of novels. He allows his culture to seep into his writing, and continues to inspire young American Indians who also desire the path of knowledge.
In the story the joy of reading Superman and me Sherman Alexie tells an emotional story of both hardship and success. He shares his struggles of being a poor Indian kid destined to fail, but he had a desire to be persevere he wanted to be more than the stereotypical uneducated Indian on a reservation and was determined to do so. He was inspired by his father to love books, and with the love for books came the ability to escape from the boundaries of the reservation and the dream to be more. Alexie shares how he taught his self to read with a superman comic book and with his witty metaphors how it shaped his life. I found Alexis story to be emotional, but yet very interesting.
Alexie used repetitive words to emphasize how Sherman Alexie and Superman have several characteristics. Superman can be seen in the second illustration standing triumphantly on a statue while braveness was shown on his face. Alexie believes that intelligence can save and change people's lives. He reads because he wants to save his life. He reads because he wants to save everybodys
In the essay “Superman and Me”, the author, Sherman Alexie recalls the time he first learned to read. He talks about his Indian culture and the perception of people like himself. He also discusses his childhood and the outcome of learning to read. The reoccurring theme of the essay is the love of reading. The author used various literacy devices to express the feelings of empowerment, happiness and the necessity that came with learning to read.
Christopher Reeve, an American actor, is well known for his role in the 1st through 4th Superman movies. He played the well-known role of the main character Clark Kent, an ordinary boy sent from his destroyed planet to Earth. Whilst on Earth he discovers that he is different and learns about his superpowers and fights evil in the Metropolis. Because of his role Reeve learnt a lot about heroes and their lives. Knowing this he said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
Studying superheroes teach you about the liberally educated qualities listed by Cronon, and studying superheroes individually teach you the key virtues of connecting: selflessness, bravery and perseverance. In the end, to be able to learn, grow, and aid your community, you just need to connect with others. Connecting is what makes societies, superheroes, and liberally educated people come together and from a strong
In the text, “Superman and Me,”One main quote that explains everything you need to know about this article is when Sherman Alexie says, “I wasrefused to fail. I was smart. I was lucky.” Many people that have read this choose to believe that this quote is just an irritating repetition of how he felt about himself, however, closer examination shows that it actually develops his main claim and central idea, refines his claims, and shows the purpose of this text all in one quote. Alexie was a young, Indian boy who just wanted to know how to read in write in the aspiration of becoming emotionally closer to his father because he loved him so.
He was three-years-old when he taught himself how to read. Even Though Alexie was reading at the age of three he wasn’t considered a prodigy because he was Indian. His dad would buy a bunch of books and since he loved his dad he decided to love books as well. He first learned how to read with a Superman comic. Throughout the essay Sherman Alexie uses an extended metaphor to describe the connection he has with Superman.
In conclusion, Alexie’s quote has proven a great impact on not just his but those he teaches lives and maybe even the reader’s point of view. Sherman Alexie was determined, and with that he succeeded beyond what his peers saw in his race. Alexie’s quote was the beginning of his courage to move ahead and keep going no matter what came his way. Sherman Alexie, a Indian native, learned to read/ write with his utmost ability, will, and multiple innovative