Poem Style
Poem Analysis
- The poem has five stanzas.
- Evolution does not have Rhyme or Meter. Alexie wrote this poem freely using his childhood and adulthood experiences as influences.
- His use of the word Indian emphasis the loss of identity as it is offensive to the Native Americans.
- The poems emotion is sadness, but in the end gives the reader a sense of understanding, compasion and respect for the Native Americans.
- Sherman Alexie illustrates the fall of the Native Americans and their culture.
- Buffalo Bill was the nickname of William Frederick Cody who symbolized the American government.
- This poem emphasizes the deceit and oppression that the American government forced upon the Natives by stealing their land, culture, and identities.
Who is Sherman Alexie?
- Sherman Joseph Alexie jr, was born on October 7, 1966 in Wellpinit, Washington.
- Sherman Joseph Alexie and Lillian Anges Cox were his parents, both were of Native American descent.
- He grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation and as a child was nicknamed "the globe" because of his abnormally large head.
- Alexie was born hydrocephalic (water on the brain) and underwent brain surgery at six months of age; he was not expected to survive.
Evolution by: Sherman Alexie