War Dances Response - Essay Example

The diverse nature of human poses several challenges in the relationships present in the human society. The ability to contain these challenges however leads to development of beneficial relationships and overall harmonious co-existence of the society. In his book “war dances” Sherman Alexie explores a wide range of social issues and in so doing he demonstrates several relationships between various characters in his stories and poems. The characters in the stories and poems illustrate the reality present in the current day society, and gives particular focus to individuals and relationships characterized by hazardous sets of events and at times leading to some irreversible consequences.

Many of the relationships explored involve male characters, and mainly involve fathers and sons in a native Indian cultural background. A typical example is the relationship between the senator son with his best friend Jeremy, in which the senator son is driven in psychological confusion and great anger by the experience of learning that his best friend is a gay (Alexie 75). He cannot conceive the fact that his best friend is a gay and as a result, he disowns him. This relationship further echoes the diverse nature of humankind, in terms of thinking, actions and perspective, and further illustrates the fact that our very social interaction should not be limited by our diverse nature. . General relationship between an individual and his immediate society emphasized, how one is perceived by his society is of critical importance.

The episode illustrates the caring nature of the senator son; he was deeply touched and angered by the experience of learning that his best friend was a gay. The conservative or secretive nature of Jeremy the senator son best friend is also evident as he managed to conceal his true identity from his best friend despite the fact that they were very close friends. The “ghost dance” illustrates the strength of bonds that binds relationships in the native Indian society, which is characterized by a set of customs and practices such as cultural dances to cement its solidarity and togetherness.

The dance serves as an identity of the common challenges encountered by this group of native Indians, and according to them, dancing this well was supposed to lead or deliver the community into freedom. The bonds in this society are not even limited by academic achievements as illustrated by the professor who despite his academic achievements is said to remain loyal or an addict to the indigenous ways of native Indians life. A contrast between the old who always stick to their traditions despite their big achievements and the modern youths is depicted from this episode.

There is also the illustration of a father-son relationship characterized by affection and disappointment that depicts a farther who is an alcoholic despite the fact that he is diabetic. The son’s deep affection for his father makes him disappointed by his father’s behavior, and a sense of irresponsibility and lack of mentorship by parents to their children is