After reading "Black Eye of the Month Club" and "On The Way to Rainy Mountain", answer the following question:
For Alexie and Momaday, both grew up on and around their family's reservations and harbor feelings that feel similar but are distanced by their perspective of age. How does age affect how you see the situations you are a part of?
Age can have a significant impact on how individuals perceive and understand the situations they are a part of. In the case of Alexie and Momaday, both authors grew up on and around their family's reservations, which gives them a shared sense of familiarity and connection to their Native American heritage. However, their differing ages shape the lens through which they view these situations.
As young adults, Alexie experiences the realities of life on the reservation firsthand, witnessing and personally experiencing the discrimination, poverty, and struggles faced by Native Americans. His perspective is shaped by the immediacy of these experiences, which leads to a raw and sometimes confrontational portrayal of the harsh realities. His youth allows for a greater sense of urgency and anger, resulting in a more direct and unfiltered depiction of the hardships faced by indigenous people.
On the other hand, Momaday, being from an older generation, has had more time for reflection and contemplation. His perspective is colored by the wisdom and insights gained through decades of living and reflecting on his Native American heritage. Momaday's age brings a sense of maturity and a deeper understanding of the cultural significance and historical context of his experiences. His writing is characterized by a more balanced and nostalgic tone, exploring the beauty and richness of Native American traditions and reflecting on the impact of colonization.
Overall, age shapes the perspective through which individuals see the situations they are a part of. Youthful eyes may be more attuned to the immediate struggles and injustices, while age can bring a broader perspective, incorporating historical and cultural context. Both approaches are valuable in conveying the complex experiences and emotions associated with growing up on and around reservations.
Age plays a significant role in shaping one's perspective and how they perceive the situations they are a part of. In the case of Sherman Alexie and N. Scott Momaday, both authors grew up on and around their family's reservations, which allowed them to have similar experiences and harbor similar feelings. However, their differing ages inevitably impacted how they saw and understood these situations.
For Alexie, who is a younger writer, his perspective is influenced by the experiences and challenges of his generation. Being closer in age to the events he writes about, such as the struggles faced by Native Americans and the impacts of colonization, he may have a more immediate and emotionally charged understanding of these issues. With a sense of urgency and anger, Alexie's writing often reflects the frustrations and hardships faced by contemporary Native Americans.
On the other hand, Momaday, an older writer, provides a contrast in perspective. As a member of an older generation, he may have a more historicized and reflective stance towards Native American experiences. With the benefit of hindsight and a deeper understanding of historical context, Momaday's writing may contain more contemplation and introspection. His works often explore the interconnectedness of past and present, displaying a reverence for traditional Native American culture and a longing for a lost way of life.
Age also influences the amount of life experience one accumulates, which in turn shapes their understanding of situations. As individuals grow older, they encounter a broader range of situations, both personally and globally, which can enhance their ability to analyze and interpret events. In the case of the authors, Momaday's older age likely grants him a wider scope of experience to draw upon, allowing for a more nuanced and mature perspective on the reservations and Native American life.
In summary, age affects how individuals see and interpret the situations they are a part of. In the case of Alexie and Momaday, their differing ages contribute to their unique perspectives on Native American experiences and reservations. While both writers share similar feelings, their perspectives are shaped by the specific circumstances and complexities associated with their age and generational context.