CensorshipEssay Kayla Johannes
Kayla Johannes
English III
Argumentative Essay
19 February 2015
“What You Pawn I Will Redeem”: A Story With a Hidden Meaning
When reading “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” by Sherman Alexie, readers get the impression that Jackson Jackson, the main character, is very irresponsible, and doesn’t do anything with his life except get drunk and pass out on railroad tracks. Jackson Jackson also made out and most likely did many other inappropriate things in the bathroom of a bar. Even as
16 and 17 year olds, there are many students in this age group that I know will complain and be offended by the things Jackson Jackson does. However, those who do not look past those things, don’t realize that the story is actually teaching a very great life lesson. “What You Pawn I Will
Redeem” teaches readers to put your needs before your wants, to put others before yourself and to work hard for what you want or need.
When Jackson Jackson discovers that his grandmother’s stolen regalia is being sold at the local thrift shop, he does everything in his will to get it back. Many people give him money to help him raise the $999 that the regalia is being sold for. Instead of saving the money, though, he spends it on beer and food. Though it seems as if the beer was an unnecessary expense for
Jackson, it is something that has become a part of his life, and something he feels is a need. He also buys food at a local restaurant for himself and 3 others. Food is obviously something needed for survival, so if the reader was to really think about it, Jackson spent the money wisely.
Jackson Jackson also did not spend all of the money on himself. When he was at the bar, he bought rounds of beer for everyone in the bar, not just himself. He paid for the other 3 homeless people to eat, and not just himself. Jackson Jackson is not a selfish person, and has showed that no matter how many negative experiences a person has been through, there is still room for brightening
English III
Argumentative Essay
19 February 2015
“What You Pawn I Will Redeem”: A Story With a Hidden Meaning
When reading “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” by Sherman Alexie, readers get the impression that Jackson Jackson, the main character, is very irresponsible, and doesn’t do anything with his life except get drunk and pass out on railroad tracks. Jackson Jackson also made out and most likely did many other inappropriate things in the bathroom of a bar. Even as
16 and 17 year olds, there are many students in this age group that I know will complain and be offended by the things Jackson Jackson does. However, those who do not look past those things, don’t realize that the story is actually teaching a very great life lesson. “What You Pawn I Will
Redeem” teaches readers to put your needs before your wants, to put others before yourself and to work hard for what you want or need.
When Jackson Jackson discovers that his grandmother’s stolen regalia is being sold at the local thrift shop, he does everything in his will to get it back. Many people give him money to help him raise the $999 that the regalia is being sold for. Instead of saving the money, though, he spends it on beer and food. Though it seems as if the beer was an unnecessary expense for
Jackson, it is something that has become a part of his life, and something he feels is a need. He also buys food at a local restaurant for himself and 3 others. Food is obviously something needed for survival, so if the reader was to really think about it, Jackson spent the money wisely.
Jackson Jackson also did not spend all of the money on himself. When he was at the bar, he bought rounds of beer for everyone in the bar, not just himself. He paid for the other 3 homeless people to eat, and not just himself. Jackson Jackson is not a selfish person, and has showed that no matter how many negative experiences a person has been through, there is still room for brightening