Introduction to My Final Paper

Jessica Webb
ENG 254
Professor Rouzie
Tuesday, June 2, 2009


Linear vs. Cyclical Concepts of Time in Sherman Alexie’s TLRATFIH

My researched argument paper will focus on concepts of time as presented in Sherman Alexie’s “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven”; specifically, it will focus on how Alexie used the Native American cyclical view of time versus the Judeo-Christian linear view of time to show differences in basic philosophies between cultures. This researched argument paper searches to prove that not only was the native author aware of this basic cultural difference, but also will attempt to argue that Sherman Alexie used this difference in basic worldviews as another sort of cultural ‘background noise’ in some of his stories in his novel to re-enforce and/or conflict with certain points to hit his points home to the reader. I will also argue that Native Americans do not apply the passing of time the same way Western cultures do.

Not only is the basic worldview/philosophy different, but it is also applied in different ways. To quote Sherman Alexie’s novel: "Indians never need to wear a watch because your skeletons will always remind you about the time. See, it is always now. That's what Indian time is. The past, the future. All of it is wrapped up in the now. That's how it is. We are trapped in the now" (Alexie 22). This is a part of what I wish to argue. There is yet one more part of my paper’s argument that I will attempt to explore. What is one culture’s reactions to the philosophical views of time of the other and visa-versa? To again quote Alexie’s novel: "I remembered watches. They measured time in seconds, minutes, hours. They measured time exactly, coldly. I measure time with my breath, the sound of my hands across my own skin. I make mistakes" (Alexie 109). It is seen here that it gives Victor a sense of dislocation. Does it do the same for a white person looking in? That is the last topic I will attempt to explore.