Topic > Sherman Alexie's use of tone in Superman and Me

I've always been slower to learn things. As I grew up it always took me longer to learn new material and I always needed extra help. During my training I participated in programs and got accommodations on specific things. It's been hard sometimes because everyone will understand something and I'll act like I understand it, but I really don't. This has been the hardest part at times, but I've realized that it's okay that I need extra help or extra time to learn things. In "Superman and Me", by Sherman Alexie, he uses a variation of tone in order to explain how his childhood was harsh, which shows his tone through society and how he was a survivor. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssaySherman opens his story with an unexpected tone by saying that his early experiences with reading are what influenced him and how it has influenced his life and career path. An example of this is when he writes “They carry neither pencil nor pen. They look out the window. They refuse and resist. “Books,” I tell them. “Books,” I say. I throw myself with all my weight against their closed doors. The door holds. I'm smart. I'm arrogant. I'm lucky. I'm trying to save our lives." Alexie uses repetition when he says "I tell those books." “Books,” I say. Alexie uses repetition to indicate the rift between him and all the other Indians. He uses “I” to show his separateness in his own individuality. When he uses alliteration when he says “I'm arrogant. I'm lucky. I'm trying to save our lives." He wants to make it clear that he survived and followed one of his passions which was teaching children. The short sentences refer to him saying that he will not fail because he has determined and has faith in himself. As an Indian he was considered “stupid”. The short sentences also represent the fact that since he taught himself to read and write as a child, he read all the time and was actually smart as a kid. He is not doing it for himself, he was doing it for the people so that they can see that Indians can be smart too. In a way he is a superman for children. Alexie is trying to save the lives of the children on the reservation, whether they want it or not. Throughout the story he also uses anaphora when he continually uses the phrases "I" was trying to save my life. “They are trying to save their lives.” I'm trying to save our lives." Alexie uses anaphora because it is another attempt to emphasize his reading experiences and the overall importance he places on the act of reading to be successful. While Alexie may only seem to be of concern to a small group of people, it should actually be of concern to anyone who cares about society. Sherman changes his tone to society and opens up by saying that he struggled as a kid, but his desire was to succeed and do what is best for his future and also what is true to his heritage and culture. Alexie himself writes: “The Indian kids crowd the class. Many write poems, short stories and novels. They read my books. They have read many other books. They look at me with shining eyes and arrogant wonder." In this quote he uses repetition when he writes “They read my books.” They have read many other books." Alexie repeats the word “books” hoping that “books” will have an echo in the children's minds. He wanted to make it clear that these children love to read and he feels fulfilled because they are reading his books and he taught them to read. He also uses alliteration when he says “They look at me with bright eyes and arrogant wonder.” Use alliteration because many children were confused and didn't know.