Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven


            The story called “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” is a very interesting story. The story has a lot of meaning that may not be noticed at first glance. The main character is Native American. He left the reservation to try and live like a white person. No one in his reservation ever leaves. When he left his reservation, he became an outsider to his people. When he was in Seattle, he realized he was an outsider there also because he wasn’t white. In the end, he doesn’t fit in anywhere. Whenever he mentions talking to someone white, he makes it sound like they are superior to him just because of their skin color. The title of the story shows that he is Tonto because he is Native American, but he is also the Lone Ranger because he wants to be white. He is fighting with himself because he is lost inside. The reason that the title says a fistfight in heaven can mean that even in a place that is supposed to be peaceful, he cannot peace inside of himself. The main character wants to escape from the stereotypical idea of Native Americans, but by the way he acts at the end of the story, he won’t escape it.    

4 comments:

  1. I appreciate your interpretation of this excerpt, I wasn't in class that day for the discussion so this blog enlightened me on another point of view besides my own. Thanks Haley!

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    1. No problem. This is pretty much exactly what was said in class. I am glad that Ican help

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  2. I found the class discussion on "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" helpful to understand the meaning behind the story. This post really breaks down the discussion well. The title however still poses a dismiss I think as to what it really means. I am not entirely sure how it fits in with the story, but I would say your interpretation does an excellent job of relating the story and title together.

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