Narrative Essay Essay Example

Sherman Alexie’s Biographical vignettes present a humorous account of his life at a student went in his native Indian background, and in an all-white school away from home. The events that unfold during this period teach Alexie valuable life lessons. At first grade, he learns to fight for himself, standing up against the bullies in his class. When confronted by a racist teacher who tried to belittle him for being Indian, Alexie firmly asserts his pride in who he is. This incident provides him with an opportunity to appreciate where he comes from. Alexie learns that his community is judged purely by the color of their skin. He learns that the whites, who are considered more superior, are exempt from other things that are thought to be more applicable to lesser people like Indians. When the racial sentiments come from a Chicano teacher, Alexie learns that there is no brotherhood in persons of the same race. Alexie learns that no matter where he comes from, he can excel and compete with the privileged and still win the race of life.
Alexie chooses to use vignettes because they offer a focal point, making the reader to zero in on a subject without losing the gist as happens in a broad narrative. Using vignettes allows him to focus on particular scenes of significance, instead of making just a mere mention within a conventional essay. One may fail to appreciate the significance of an event when it is lost amongst many other events where some are more eye-catching than others. This style of narration also makes the story more humorous and packed with emotion. Using vignettes draws the reader to the important subjects in the narrative and also helps condense the elements of the story.