Reservation Blues

  Sherman Alexie’s “Reservation Blues” is somewhat similar to my life. One of the themes of the book is to  always remember your culture and value it. Since I was born here in America, it’s harder for me to see why they want me to do the things they want me to do or to understand why I can’t go out as much as the other kids in my school did. When I started to become a teenager, I started to disagree with what my parents demanded of me because I became really ignorant of where they originated from and China itself. The book shows how Victor and Junior lost interest in their Native American culture. They would rather be in a more modern environment than an old reservation. Right when my parents sensed that I was going to eventually become like Victor and Junior (on the way of completely forgetting chinese values), they sent me on a trip to China last summer.

  When I got to China, I expected nothing better than what America had (this was when I was narrow-minded). However, I realized that there were a lot of things I should appreciate. After a month in China, I learned that family values are very important even after college. On the other hand, America praises independence when entering college. Hardwork, respect, and education are also more valued there than it is here in America. After that experience, I never forgot what I learned. Reservation Blues reminds me of that effecting experience of my life. If I had read this book before going to China, I would’ve sooner looked at my cultural values differently.