In his essay "I Hated Tonto (Still Do)" (98-100), Sherman Alexie discusses his identity as a member of the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene tribe and his responses to those Native Americans he saw on TV and in movies. Explore Alexie's life and views in more detail at his official homepage: http://www.fallsapart.com/index.html. How do you think Alexie's experiences have affected his writing? Does knowing more about his biography enhance your understanding of his work? Write a few paragraphs on how details from Alexie's life could give you a fuller context for reading "I Hated Tonto (Still Do)."
Follow this link http://www.pbs.org/now/printable/transcript_alexie_print.html) to "Up All Night," an essay Alexie wrote for PBS's NOW with Bill Moyers. Here Alexie talks about insomnia and his own writing process. After you read the essay, consider the following questions: How does Alexie's identity relate to his writing process? Does this make you think any differently about your own writing process? What comment do you think he is making about being a Native American in America, and how does this influence his work?
Click to read Phil Pakenham's perspective on "Up All Night."
