Close Reading of a Poem
Jason Mobley
ENG/125
Oct 26th, 015
Dr. K
Close Reading of a Poem

“On the Amtrak from Boston to New York City”, is the poem that spoke to me most, of all the poems we went through and read. I found that I could relate to his anger of not being heard or even acknowledged for his history in the America’s. Sherman Alexie is a Spokane Coeur d’Alene Indian and he now writes everything from the point of view from his heritage. I read the poem first and then read the brief biography of the author. I found that after reading the biography, I had a much better understanding and more clear and concise grasp of where the author was coming from when he wrote.
In analyzing this poem, it seemed that Sherman Alexie was very angry with the white man. He expresses this throughout the poem, but shows the woman who speaks of Walden Pond respect. Sherman appears to only show her respect and continued to listen to the woman described in his words close to the end of the poem, because of her age, he states very pointedly that “I respect elders of every color” indicating to me the woman who was speaking of Walden Pond to him was in fact an elder.
Though he was respectful to her, he shared his frustration and ill feelings in many different ways from beginning to end. In the second stanza he states that he “learned little more about American history” during his few days back east but really it seemed as though he could care less in knowing more. He expresses that everyone “should all know of the tribal stories architecture is 15,000 years older than the corners of the house that sits”. As the woman continues to speak, he sits apparently in silence, absorbing her words and lets her continue on with her pride in the American history, though as the poem goes on, it seems he is more angered. He says he does not have “a cruel enough heart to break her own” but is most definitely being angered by her words. It seems that he is very bothered that the Indians do not receive any credit for being on the American soil far before the white man even showed up. He would have been more than happy to share his true feelings towards Walden Pond and the white man. Sherman Alexie expresses it in his written words “I don’t give a shit about Walden” and “I’m tired of hearing about Don-fucking-Henley saving it too”. It is quite evident with his words and profanity that he is pissed off at the white American man that claims to have such history when his heritage goes so much more in time comparison. He wants very much to scream about the history of Walden Pond prior to the white man coming. He obviously feels to some extent victimized by the white man; he says “I know the Indians were living stories around that pond before Walden’s grandparents were born and before his grandparents’ grandparents were born.” He really expresses well that if the white man had not come, there would be no reason to save Walden Pond. Sherman never in fact brings up the ‘white man’ per se’, on the other hand with his descriptive words and symbolism during the course of his poem, it is clear he speaks of the white man very negatively.
I found it interesting and almost absurd that through all the anger that is apparent, Sherman Alexie wanted to get the women an orange juice from the food car. This came out of left field and I found no hint of why orange juice. It is probably a symbolism that I do not understand, but yet I found it amusing. He gave the impression of somewhat peaceful look that she “smiled so much and seemed delighted”.
I think that not only was Sherman angry, but in the last two stanza’s he expressed some suppressed thoughts and almost expressed himself as not worthy enough to voice his opinion. The words that I grab the not worthy attitude from are “All I really did was eat my tasteless sandwich” (possibly referring to the blandness of the white man’s food) and “while I, as all Indians have done since this war began, made plans for what I would do and say the next time somebody from the enemy thought I was one of their own.” The perception I gained was that he felt that his heritage receives little to no respect and that many people do not even realize his Indian heritage is as part of his that he shows. It gives the impression as though he states that all Indians have allowed the white man to be the superior race. In the last part of this poem, he seems also self-loathing.
In the ‘Joining the Conversation’ portion after the end of the poem, it asked the reader to consider the idea of “Columbus discovered America”. In addition, asked what attitude toward the history of the land and toward Indians is implicit in these words. I considered that idea and I found that I was somewhat repulsed that there is no credit given to the American Indian’s for this land. I am not a history buff by any means, but as an American, I know we celebrate Thanksgiving with all the trimmings but by no means do we really recognize that there were people living here for thousands and thousands of years before us. It is somewhat disheartening and I can understand the anger and frustration that Alexie is coming from in his writing. I like his writing, it is real and raw it makes you think through the deep thickets of the self and give the poem some thought.
Sherman Alexie shares a deep and broad spectrum of emotion in this poem. The writer seems to scream the frustration he felt through his words. The reader can hardly ignore the frustration and dismissal the poet feels from beginning to end. The poem is very emotional you can get the feeling of what he is trying to portray just by reading what he is writing. It expresses a sturdy sense of antagonism and even though that is understandable. The one moral message to be acknowledged is that it gives the impression to be a succession of one group taking advantage of another group of people, and destroying them for the most part.