Most Proud Composition

Holly Ryan

Deeper Then Our Redskin

Stereotypes are an oversimplified conception, opinion, or image that is held in common by members of a group. These ignominious mental images have existed in our society since the early 1800’s. At this time the most common stereotypes were inflicted upon Native Americans, who were generalized as savages, liars, boring, and even immoral. In the short story, “What You Pawn I Will Redeem,” the main character, Jackson Jackson, persuades the audience to believe that he is just another stereotypical Indian, when in reality his sociable and reliable personality is inimitable, and contradicts his argument. He bases this argument on the way he has always been portrayed by prominent races such as whites, less than human.

Jackson convinces the readers he is a stereotype by repetitively generalizing himself to all Indians throughout the text, in a sarcastic tone. For example, Jackson says “Homeless Indians are everywhere in Seattle. We’re common and boring, and you walk right on by us, with maybe a look of anger or disgust or even sadness at the terrible fate of the noble savage.” (1) In this quote Jackson uses multiple degrading generalizations to describe all homeless Indians, including himself, as common and boring. This is a simplification because he is saying himself and every other homeless Indian are ordinary and uninteresting, when he is truly fun and intriguing through his friendliness. He is a friend to not only other homeless Indians, but also restaurant and convenience store managers, who grant him the rare privilege of using their clean, “employee’s” restroom. Overall, Jackson classifies himself as something he is not, because that is how white people have always viewed him.

According to Jackson Jackson’s best friend, Rose of Sharon, he is “the most honest Indian,” but Jackson oversimplifies himself once again to be something he is not, a liar. He does so when he says, “we Indians are great storytellers and liars and mythmakers.” (1) In this quote he once again refers to himself as a group of Indians, while also classifying both Indians and himself as liars. This is a common stereotype white men inflicted upon Native Americans, and Jackson was aware of this. He tries to generalize himself into the mold society built, but in actuality he himself is an individual. He makes a sarcastic point to the audience by portraying himself as just another Indian, and that point is that stereotypes are false accusations if you look passed someone’s exterior image.

Classifying Jackson as either a stereotype or not is extraordinarily complex because he shows qualities that do not fit into the generalization he persuades of boring, and a liar. Such qualities are that he is extremely fun, outgoing, and honest. Even though Jackson tries to portray himself as a stereotypical Indian in order to make a point to the white audience, he is really his own person, with unique qualities that make up himself.