Short stories play a significant role in understanding the culture of a specific group of people or a nation. They might highlight the same culture in different perspectives but still, give the readers the opportunity to connect with their culture and even improve one’s understanding of a different culture thus enhances diversity awareness and the need to appreciate them. Understanding Native American culture is therefore essential in one’s life as it enables people to connect to that specific culture and compare with theirs. Examples of short stories that depict the culture of Native Americans include Indian Humor by Vine Deloria, The Approximate Size of My Favorite Tumor by Sherman Alexie and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie. The stories present the theme of cultural identity and humor through characters like Victor, Jimmy and Indian people.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven depict the challenges Indians face and how they overcome them (Palmer 28). Several characters learn how to approach different situations, but the main character is Victor who strives to become a typical Indian. He goes through several struggles with himself as well as failing to accept his father and his tribe (Palmer 29). The setting of this story takes place in a reserved Indian community thus gives an understanding of the typical Native American families and how they relate in modern America. The story highlights the theme of pursuit for cultural identity among Native Americans. The Indians in this short story live in between two worlds. They desire the modern American world that has current cars and televisions yet, and they understand that such a lifestyle will not make them feel comfortable (Palmer 30). In another world, the Indians have a misted feeling of nostalgia and embarrassment for living the traditional Native American lifestyle. They still hold on to their traditions and values such as having a close relationship with the family. It is because Victor realizes how valuable his family is that he decides to understand that no one is perfect and amends his relationship with his father and the tribe.

The two fictional stories that have similarities are Indian Humor and The Approximate Size of My Favorite Tumor. The protagonists in these stories have humor, and they turn every problematic situation into laughter (Deloria 40). Therefore, they can avoid depressing moments in life. The Indians people in Indian Humor incorporate humor in almost every activity they carry out or in their conversations thus forget about their problems. Jimmy in The Approximate Size of My Favorite Tumor has also accepted his condition of having a terminal illness, therefore, makes jokes out of every situation to avoid feeling lonely and think about the disease (Alexie 150). The two stories also differ since the Indian people make the jokes in every difficult situation and uphold unity as they continue to stay together (Deloria 41). Jimmy’s wife does not tolerate his jokes, and she leaves making Jimmy’s life miserable. The two stories also share the theme of humor as it is significant for in Native American culture. Readers learn from these two short stories that despite the most challenging situation they might face in life, they might not view it as the end of everything but desire to make their lives happy and enjoy the gift of life.

Sherman Alexie is the author of both The Approximate Size of My Favorite Tumor and The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. The character in these two stories tries to come out of the difficult situations they face in life. Victor resolves to alcoholism to forget about his problems while Jimmy uses humor to cooperate with his diagnosis of brain tumor. The author highlights the theme of cultural identity and family value but using a different approach (Palmer 29). While Victor becomes addicted until he later realizes that no one is perfect and forgives his father, Jimmy continues to be humorous until his wife leaves him (Alexie 154). She, however, comes back to be with him as she does not want Jimmy to die a lonely man. These stories are therefore a representation of the Native American’s value for identity.

The main theme highlighted by the three short stories is the family value. It is an accurate representation of the Native Americans’ culture. They believe that no matter the challenges they face, they should never forget their family members and the community. Indian people use humor to remain united. Jimmy’s wife returns to him and continues to listen to his jokes as she does not want him to spend his last days as a lonely man. Also, victor forgives his father and remains united with his family and the community. Therefore, Native Americans value family.

Work Cited

Alexie, Sherman. The Approximate Size of My Favorite Tumor. 1993.

Deloria Jr, Vine. “Indian humor.” Custer died for your sins: An Indian manifesto 146 (1969): 39- 67.

Palmer, Joye Tompkins. Identity Formation in Sherman Alexie’s The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Flight and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Diss. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2017.