Sherman Alexie's poem "What You Pawn I Will Redeem" tells the story of a Native American man named Jack, who is desperate to get back his grandmother's powwow regalia, or traditional dance clothes, which he sold for cash when he was struggling financially. The poem is set in a pawn shop, where Jack is bargaining with the shopkeeper to buy back the regalia.
The poem is rich with themes of identity, family, and cultural heritage. Jack's desperate desire to regain the regalia is tied to his sense of self and his connection to his ancestors. The regalia represents a part of his identity that has been lost, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to get it back.
The shopkeeper, on the other hand, is more interested in the monetary value of the regalia than its cultural significance. He sees it as nothing more than a commodity to be bought and sold. This contrast between Jack's emotional connection to the regalia and the shopkeeper's detachment highlights the theme of the commercialization of culture and the way in which it can undermine the value of traditions and heritage.
The title of the poem, "What You Pawn I Will Redeem," suggests that Jack is willing to pay any price to reclaim the regalia. This phrase also has deeper meaning, as it suggests that Jack is willing to redeem not only the regalia, but also his own sense of identity and connection to his culture.
Ultimately, the poem speaks to the importance of cultural traditions and the way in which they shape our sense of self and our connection to our ancestors. It also critiques the way in which these traditions can be commodified and stripped of their meaning in a capitalist society.
In conclusion, "What You Pawn I Will Redeem" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of identity, family, and cultural heritage, and the way in which they can be threatened by the forces of capitalism. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and valuing our cultural traditions.
Writing a personal theory paper can be a challenging but rewarding task. A personal theory is a set of ideas and beliefs that a person holds about a particular subject or phenomenon. It is a way of making sense of the world and explaining how things work. In a personal theory paper, you will have the opportunity to present your own ideas and perspectives on a topic and defend them through evidence and logical reasoning.
To begin, it is important to choose a topic that is interesting to you and that you have some knowledge or experience with. This will help you to write with passion and conviction and make your paper more engaging for your reader. You should also consider the purpose of your paper and the audience you are writing for. This will help you to focus your ideas and present them in a way that is clear and relevant.
Next, you should do some research to gather information and evidence to support your ideas. This can include reading literature on the topic, conducting experiments or surveys, or gathering data from other sources. It is important to be thorough and to evaluate the quality and reliability of your sources. You should also consider different perspectives on the topic and be prepared to address any counterarguments or objections that your reader may have.
Once you have gathered your information, you can begin to organize your thoughts and ideas into an outline. This will help you to structure your paper and ensure that it flows logically from one point to the next. Your outline should include an introduction, which introduces the topic and presents your main argument; a body, which develops your ideas and supports them with evidence; and a conclusion, which summarizes your main points and restates your argument.
As you write your paper, be sure to use clear and concise language and to avoid jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your reader. You should also use proper citation style to credit your sources and avoid plagiarism. Finally, be sure to proofread your paper carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and presents your ideas in the best possible way.
In conclusion, writing a personal theory paper requires careful thought, research, and organization. By following these steps, you can develop and present your own unique perspective on a topic in a clear and convincing way.
