Manifestations of Realism and Trauma in Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Reservation Blues, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Abstract

Being exposed to centuries of settler colonial practices has had long-term effects on Native Americans. This thesis examines how Sherman Alexie’s The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (1993), Reservation Blues (1995) and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007) depict the historical trauma caused by settler colonialism and the reservation experience through different manifestations of realism. These three works convey the reservation experience through partly autobiographical characters who live on the Spokane Reservation and focus on discussions of ethnic identity in the United States. Utilizing Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart’s concepts of “historical trauma” and “historical trauma response” to offer close readings of the selected works, this study focuses on the uses of “reservation realism,” magical realism, and autoethnography, respectively in each chapter, revealing Alexie’s attempt to realistically reflect Native American experience despite existing racial hierarchies, prejudices, stereotypes, and selective historiography.