Thesis Smoke Signals




In what specific ways do the characters in the film, Smoke Signals, experience and struggle with circumstances and ideas having to do specifically with Native American History and Native American stereotypes?  And in what specific ways do the characters find power and meaning in their Native American history and cultural traditions?
“Defensible” means you’d have to be prepared to support your thesis with specific evidence from the film
“Responsive” means your thesis is clearly doing all the things this prompt is asking you to do. 

Struggles and experiences having to do with Native American history
Struggles and experiences having to do with Native American stereotypes
Empowerment or identity/meaning making through Native American history 
Empowerment or identity/meaning making cultural tradition
Defensible: In the film, Smoke Signals, Thomas and Victor experienced being stereotyped throughout their whole trip to Arizona. They where stereotyped as an alcoholic when accused of being the cause for a wreck, even though Victor hadn't had a drop of alcohol. Both actors were also looked upon as unequal because of the history of whites being superior to Indians in the early 1900's. This was shown in the scene of two white people not moving seats when asked by Victor and Thomas. Although they had rough experiences with being Native American they also had pride in themselves and who they are and show that in many scenes. Both characters show this when Thomas prays with his grandma at the dinner table and shows how he is proud to be an Indian and shows his religious beliefs. Also how stories were told during the whole film to show how tales have been a part of their history and traditions ever since the beginning. Although there were many negative things about being a Native American the characters in the movie they held their pride of being a Native American and showed people what it actually means. 

Responsive: In the film, Smoke Signals, Native Americans struggled with being stereotyped by many people, but they still managed to be proud of who they are by practicing their traditions and embracing where they came from. They deal with many stereotypes through out the movie like being an alcoholic, and always living on reservations. This is not who they are and showed them dealing with these negative things in a positive light. Thomas and Victor took pride with who they were by showing their traditions and history by singing songs, showing their religion, and storytelling. Both characters dealt with negative and positive things of being a Native American by dealing with stereotypes and showing their history and culture. 


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